Local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, has declined to comment on why her government are refusing to provide the diary of Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, as a public document.
Diaries of public officials are often made public – in the public interest – and record who they meet with and why.
The public diaries of NSW ministers have been available at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au since 2014. The move by then Liberal Premier, Mike Baird, was in response to allegations of hidden political donations, heard at the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hearings.
Locally, there is no requirement for councillors or the mayor to disclose who they meet with, and why.
$1,344 for the freedom of information request
Ms Elliot’s refusal to comment was in response to attempts by former federal senator, Rex Patrick, who says he was initially told it would cost $1,344 for the freedom of information request.
He tweeted last week that the PM’s department ‘backflipped on the cost, despite paying a deposit, and are now refusing to process the request’.
He said, ‘In the United States, the White House posts visitor log records, enabling public scrutiny of President Biden’s meetings, and those of his staff’.
‘The Chief Minister of the ACT proactively publishes his diary on the internet, and those of his ministers.
‘So what exactly is wrong with our PM? Why the lack of transparency? What is he hiding from you?’
As his people
The Echo asked Ms Elliot, ‘Do you support the PM’s stance on (allegedly) zero transparency on who he meets with and where? How does such secrecy engender trust with the community?’
She replied, ‘As the Member for Richmond, I can’t comment on the diary of the prime minister or any other Member of Parliament’.
‘I encourage you to direct your question to the prime minister at [email protected]’.
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