Silly, secretive budget lockup is a tradition whose time has passed

Why do governments love locking journos up for six hours to preview a budget that’s already been leaked? To control the narrative, writes James Morrow.

For the love of Pete, can we please put an end to the whole ritual of the “budget lockup”?

This, for the uninitiated, is an annual political ritual where journalists are made to surrender their devices and spend six hours in a secure zone to pore through the government’s budget documents before the treasurer stands up and formally announces everything he leaked over the previous six weeks.

The whole thing is faintly – no, entirely – ridiculous.

Entire computer networks are set up without the internet for journos to work on.

Meanwhile lanyard wearing Treasury bureaucrats patrol between desks, proctoring the event to ensure no one has snuck in an Apple Watch, acting like they’re guarding national security secrets that could move markets or start wars.

Those attending aren’t allowed to leave until the treasurer starts speaking.

In a weird Australian tradition, the lockup continues until the Treasurer starts speaking. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Which is more than a little ridiculous given the entire budget process is built on a scaffold of selective leaks.

Because in point of fact there is only one reason why governments love the lockup.

They get to shape coverage of the budget by force feeding the press the government’s preferred narrative about the thing for six uninterrupted hours.

The whole thing is more banana republic than robust democracy.

This is why the treasurer of the day holds a press conference, and wanders through the press gallery, mandarins and advisors in train, answering questions and spinning like mad.

And it is worth noting that we are unique in this tradition.

Paul Keating was a master of the budget press conference

In the UK, the budget is handed down in the House of Commons in the middle of the day and everyone has the afternoon to chew it over.

In the US, budget processes are so drawn out that if you locked up the press corps until it was done there’d be a body count.

But remember, we are somehow different in Australia.

But, come on.

The government dropped out probably 90 per cent of Tuesday night’s goodies out to journalists in the days and weeks before the big event.

HECS relief? Knew about it ages ago.

Fee-free TAFE for aspiring builders? Same.

Road funding, the Defense National Strategy, and more money for the Australian Institute of Sport?

All flagged in the media, along with countless other items.

Having covered both Liberal and Labor budgets, I can tell you the dance that dealing with any treasurer’s office is a bit like dealing with an anxious gift giver in the weeks before Christmas: “Do you want to know what I got you? No, I shouldn’t tell you. OK, here’s a hint!”

Was anyone surprised by green energy subsidies? (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

The idea that people might make big wins on the share market knowing any of this stuff early is a bit, well, far fetched.

Was anyone particularly startled that there was going to be big wheelbarrows full of money tipped out at the front door of renewable energy billionaires?

Or that there would be some cost of living crumbs for the rest of us (don’t spend that $75 a quarter all at once, you hear?)

So, here’s a tip for Jim Chalmers or any future treasurer who wants to really impress the media.

Hand down the budget like a normal government and end this pointless charade.

Originally published as Silly, secretive budget lockup is a tradition whose time has passed