Assistant minister Bruce Saunders has ‘no problems’ with secret diary being made public

Queensland taxpayers could soon know what they get for the $720,000 paid to eight assistant ministers, with one revealing he would be happy for the Premier to release his now-secret diary.

Taxpayers could soon know what they get for the $720,000 paid to eight assistant ministers, with one revealing he would have “no problem” with new Premier Steven Miles releasing his now-secret diary.

Bruce Saunders, the Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs, told The Courier-Mail he would support the release of his diary in an effort to boost transparency.

The diaries of eight assistant ministers are not publicly available, in contrast to those of the state’s cabinet ministers, which are published monthly.

Premier Steven Miles flanked by Treasurer Cameron Dick and Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to reveal what her assistant ministers did to justify their eye-watering $90,110-a-year allowance – the equivalent of $350 a day.

Mr Saunders noted Mr Miles was “very transparent” and revealed he would discuss his diary being released.

“I’ll have that discussion with the Premier and ultimately it’s his decision, but I will have that discussion,” Mr Saunders said.

“I’ve got no problems with my diary being made public because I know that work that I have done previously in regional and rural Queensland.”

Mr Saunders said his diary would reveal a “mind-blowing” schedule to grow manufacturing in regional communities supporting about 7000 jobs.

Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing, Regional Development and Jobs Bruce Saunders. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

“I’ve got no problem, but as I said, it’s up to the Premier, and I know the Premier’s doing a sterling job at the moment for all Queenslanders,” he said.

It is understood the government is considering breaking with Ms Palaszczuk’s previous position and publishing the diaries.

Currently, the work of assistant ministers is only revealed following costly Right to Information applications.

In October, Queensland’s Acting Information Commissioner Stephanie Winson said applications for information under the Right to Information Act should be “necessary only as a last resort”.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga was one of the three assistant ministers left in their roles following the ascension of Steven Miles to Premier.

Mr Saunders, Julianne Gilbert and Brittany Lauga were the three assistant ministers left in their roles following the ascension of Mr Miles, with five others elevated to the cabinet in December.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli also revealed he had no issue with the diaries of his 18 shadow ministers being required to be made public.

“If the government was to put that into the house, I would support it,” he said.

“We would begin it immediately.”

Mr Crisafulli noted that his own diary was already publicly available.