Govt called out for inaction on bombshell Coaldrake integrity report, 200 days after its release

The Palaszczuk government has been called out for still refusing to commit to a time frame on when it will deliver major changes over how state Cabinet operates, 200 days after the Coaldrake review was published.

The Palaszczuk government still won’t commit to a time frame on when it will deliver major changes over how state Cabinet operates, as it points out New Zealand took years to deliver similar reforms.

The state Opposition on Friday used the 200 day anniversary of the Coaldrake review into the public service to point out a number of recommendations were still yet to be implemented.

One of those recommendations was for the government to proactively release Cabinet submissions, agendas, and decision papers within 30 business days of a final decision being made by Cabinet.

The government on Friday confirmed it still did not have a time frame for the implementation of the reform, but a spokesman said they were working through the “very complex issue”.

Professor Peter Coaldrake said the proactive release of Cabinet documents would be an “important signal” of an open and pro-disclosure culture.

“New Zealand took years to develop and implement a similar change which has been highlighted by Professor Coaldrake,” the government spokesman said.

“Work is already underway and an update on implementation will be provided soon.”

The spokesman said the government was drawing on work already completed in New Zealand to ensure the changes could be implemented in a much faster time frame in Queensland.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said he suspected the government was taking time to develop a model that would ensure “the absolute bare minimum” of documents was released.

“Good governments plan, deliver, and evaluate. Announcements about future actions don’t change a thing unless you actually have the discipline to enact them,” he said.

In his report, Professor Peter Coaldrake said the proactive release of Cabinet documents would be an “important signal” of an open and pro-disclosure culture.

LNP Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli. Picture Emily Barker.

“Such schemes do exist elsewhere, and can work well. New Zealand has a comprehensive policy requiring the publication of Cabinet documents,” he wrote.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk accepted the proposal along with all of Professor Coaldrake’s recommendations, and vowed to implement them “lock, stock and barrel”.

Under current laws, Cabinet documents remain secret for 30 years.

Professor Coaldrake suggested there should only be a number of “reasonable exceptions” where Cabinet documents should not be released within 30 business days.

His report – dubbed ‘Let the sunshine in’ – laid bare allegations of public servants being subjected to belittling or bullying interactions with some Ministers.