Editor’s view: Premier must act like she means it on Coaldrake reforms

The big, bold reforms recommended in the Coaldrake report – some of which could prove to be uncomfortable for the Palaszczuk Government – have been left withering on the vine, despite promises 300 days ago to implement them “lock, stock and barrel”.

It has been 300 days since Professor Peter Coaldrake handed down his bombshell report into government integrity, yet only about a third of its recommendations have been fully implemented.

The Coaldrake report was dubbed “Let the Sunshine In”, yet little has been practically done since it was handed down to do just that.

The Premier must use a different definition of the common colloquialism “lock, stock and barrel” – because that is exactly how she promised to implement the 14 reforms set out in the comprehensive report.

To the Palaszczuk government’s credit, it did start implementing some aspects of the report, such as strengthening the independence of the auditor-general and ending the practice of lobbyists “dual hatting” as political campaigners.

But so far it has only been targeting the low-hanging fruit.

The big, bold reforms recommended, some of which could prove to be uncomfortable for the government, have been left withering on the vine.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government has only completed four of the 14 Coaldrake reforms. Picture: Liam Kidston

Simple steps could be taken quickly, such as more transparent descriptions of meeting purposes listed on the lobbyist register, and extending the ministerial diary disclosures to include meetings between senior staff and lobbyists.

As things stand at the moment, a lobbyist could avoid ending up in the ministerial diaries simply by meeting with a chief of staff, without the minister.

There is little purpose in a lobbyist register, which contains so little information that it can be used to obscure more than expose.

These changes could be made with little difficulty.

Cabinet submissions, agendas and decision papers should also be released after 30 days, according to the report.

Professor Coaldrake also said the proactive release of cabinet documents would be an “important signal” of an open,
pro-disclosure culture.

Yet, this important signal has yet to be sent. While it may take some more time to set up the appropriate systems for this, 300 days would be plenty of time for a determined government.

With Annastacia Palaszczuk’s popularity waning and the LNP ahead on who voters think is best to steer Queensland on the three biggest issues of health, cost of living and youth crime, there has never been a better time for this government to show leadership and get integrity right.

Peter Coaldrake made 14 recommendations in his report.

If you want to have a good culture, “the tone set at the top is essential”, as Mr Coaldrake said.

The Palaszczuk government says all 14 recommendations have been done or are in process, but this is more than a bit cute given the lack of progress made on some of these reforms.

The government said it would continue the program of reform over the next 12 months and that a second tranche of legislation would go before the parliament later this year. Yet that is little more than kicking the can down the road – and closer to the next election.

Ms Palaszczuk has made no secret of her admiration for corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald.

In 2019, she took to social media to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Fitzgerald report, noting that it was “our job to continue what he started … and never forget”. It is vital for the state of Queensland that she lives by these words, and not just pay them lip service.