Openness and Accountability goes out the window as government refuses to detail new laws

Media release.

 

The Newman LNP Government is keeping Queenslanders well and truly in the dark by refusing to release the traditional New Year’s Day advice of changes to laws and legislation.

Acting Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin said the Newman Government was denying Queenslanders their basic right to information by hiding changes to laws and legislation that would come into effect tomorrow.

“Each year successive Labor governments released comprehensive details of what laws would be altered or changed and how those changes would affect Queenslanders,” Mr Mulherin said.

“The arrogant Newman Government has indicated it will not do this.

“What that means is that Queenslanders will have no idea what new charges are going to be imposed from 1 January, they will not know if any new regulations come into effect, they will not have access to information about things like changes to industrial relations laws, for example.

“That exposes this Premier’s pledge to be open and accountable and transparent for the sham that it is. His government is refusing to make this information easily accessible to the public.

“It exposes this government’s determined effort to treat the people who elected it with contempt and keep them in the dark.

“Perhaps it is all too difficult for this government to go to each Minister’s office and obtain the advice required to keep Queenslanders informed so it goes in to the too hard basket.

“Perhaps they just can’t be bothered to keep the public informed.

“But in refusing to release this detail, every Queenslander is right to ask: “What have they got to hide?”