Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Qld govt reports actually early: minister
The Queensland government has defended releasing 75 annual performance reports on Friday night, saying they were actually early.
September 30, 2018
The Queensland government has defended dumping 75 annual reports on the performance of departments and agencies late on Friday just before a long weekend.
Housing Minister Mick de Brenni says it wasn’t an attempt to avoid scrutiny but a bid not to release them on the weekend when the reports were actually due.
“They were due by the 30th of September and they were there in advance of that deadline,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Mr de Brenni rejected claims the late release didn’t pass the sniff test.
He said the reports were available to the public online and ministers were happy to answer any questions.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says with cabinet working in Toowoomba last week the focus was on the regions.
“There was no intention for this to be contrived in any way, every single minister was in Toowoomba governing,” she said.
Ms Trad said with four weeks of parliamentary sittings before the end of the year there were ample opportunities for MPs to ask ministers questions about the annual reports.
“This is what happens each and every year … it’s a good thing, it’s about government and all of the (departments) being transparent,” she said.
She said if the release was delayed until Monday the criticism would have been they were late.