Opposition parties apply pressure to Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma over RTI requests

HUMAN Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has faced a barrage of questions over her office’s involvement in right-to-information requests while fronting a Budget estimates committee hearing.

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma speaking to reporters earlier this year about a report on out-of-home care handed down by the Children's Commissioner. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

HUMAN Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma has faced a barrage of questions over her office’s involvement in right-to-information requests while fronting a Budget estimates committee hearing.

Liberal members of the committee Adam Brooks and Roger Jaensch were accused by Opposition Leader Rebecca White and Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor of “running cover” for Ms Petrusma by making numerous points of order throughout the morning.

Ms White and Ms O’Connor focused their questioning on how Ms Petrusma’s office dealt with RTI requests, including whether she or her office staff attended RTI meetings and whether RTI documents were forwarded to the Premier’s office before release to enable a co-ordinated communications strategy to be developed.

Ms O’Connor repeatedly asked how much the Government paid in previous financial years to controversial for-profit out-of-home care provider Safe Pathways, but Ms Petrusma did not provide a figure.

Ms Petrusma said RTI applications were handled at arm’s length from her, and she denied any assertions that proper process was not being followed.

She rejected allegations that her office was manipulating the RTI process.

Ms Petrusma revealed a report into out-of-home care provider Safe Pathways had been completed and the organisation had an opportunity to respond to the report before it was finalised.

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