22 March 2026

Government transparency and accountability improved in three ways last week, thanks to our power-sharing House of Assembly. They were:

• Independent Kristie Johnston’s motion for the publication of cabinet papers within 30 business days of a decision being made. Publication will be subject to reasonable exceptions, the establishment of a public register of withheld information, and grounds for exemption and review dates. Her motion was based on a recommendation of the independent Right to Information review. New Zealand and Queensland both have this requirement since 2019 and 2024 respectively.
• Labor’s motion for Parliamentary inquiry into the government’s adherence to the Caretaker Conventions during the 2025 election campaign when it made specific policy decisions about Project Marinus, Tas Racing sharing information, and funding for the TT-Line.
• A Greens’ motion that will require Government Business Enterprises and State-Owned Corporations to maintain the publication of a public Right to Information Disclosure Log, the same as State agencies now do.

These changes will strengthen our accountability mechanisms and that reduces the abuse of power and aligns policy-making to public rather than private, unaccountable interests.   

More good news for integrity in government  was the launch on 16 March of Parliamentary Friends of Public Integrity (PFPI). Key leaders in this area attended. Membership of the group, co-chaired by independents Meg Webb and Kristie Johnston, isn’t restricted to MPs. The PFPI is an apolitical group open to individuals and organisations who have an interest in working for greater integrity in government .