State Government defends dumping 75 reports late on Friday

THE State Government has defended dumping 75 annual reports on the performance of departments and agencies late on Friday just before a long weekend.

THE State Government has defended dumping 75 annual reports on the performance of departments and agencies late on Friday just before a long weekend.

As revealed in The Sunday Mail, the 75 reports were published in three batches from 3.30pm on Friday.

The media was notified of the final and largest lot of documents at 9.54pm.

Among the revelations were Stadiums Queensland reporting an operating loss of more than $20m; Queensland Health failing to meet treatment efficiency targets and dysfunction still plaguing Queensland Rail.

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 today.

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.