In the rush to deal with a global pandemic, has transparency been thrown out the window?
Crikey has been tracking the ways in which state and federal governments have failed to uphold basic standards of accountability as they grapple with an unfolding health crisis. Here’s our list so far.
Victorian health minister won’t answer questions in parliament
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has refused to answer questions in parliament about how her department has managed the coronavirus response, including when she found out about problems at quarantine hotels. Mikakos answered every question by saying she would provide a written response at a later date. The opposition has called for her resignation, describing the incident as “contempt of the parliament”.
Brendan Murphy won’t name aged-care facilities
Former chief medical officer and now secretary of the Health Department Professor Brendan Murphy refused to release a list of Victorian aged-care facilities with outbreaks of coronavirus. He told Senate estimates could cause “reputational damage” for those involved — an extraordinary claim, especially when The Age continues to reveal details of the moguls behind Epping Gardens, the facility at the heart of one of the biggest outbreaks.
Federal parliament is delayed
The Morrison government has cancelled two weeks of parliament, saying the health risk would be too great. The decision was widely criticised; many argued it was undemocratic and could have gone ahead remotely and safely. The parliament is due to sit next on August 24.
National cabinet opacity
The government has replaced the old COAG with the national cabinet, but the national cabinet meets far more frequently and documents can remain secret for up to 30 years. Crikey has written extensively about the risks of this new body to government transparency, which experts say could hinder Australia’s democratic process.
Scott Morrison’s COVID-19 commission
Scott Morrison has stacked his national COVID-19 commission with high-powered company directors who are not required to disclose any conflicts of interest, and it’s now reclassified as an advisory board to cabinet, meaning it falls under cabinet confidentiality rules.
Victoria’s genomic tests
Victoria has refused to release genomic testing that shows almost all the cases are linked to outbreaks at quarantine hotels. Its chief medical officer, Brett Sutton, has said the research couldn’t be released because of the hotel quarantine inquiry. But why should the research be considered confidential when it could help explain how things got so bad?
“Australians need information, and they need it to be timely and honest.”
Well, yes, they do, but don’t expect that to count for much. We live with government of business, by business, for business. Go through any number of comments by Morrison and his party colleagues and they are very clear that their first, perhaps only, concern is business. They do take account of what is happening to Australians, but only in the unsentimental way a practical farmer deals with livestock. Farmers typically don’t spend that much time talking to their cows and sheep about how the farm is managed, even thought they usually make an effort to keep the livestock as healthy as necessary for a profitable business.
‘Your veils, my friend, are the habits you endlessly weave around yourself. The unknown frightens you, and you cannot cease from closing the gaps.” – Faouzi Skali 20 – 21st Century.
Incremental dismantling of Democracy well under way Prime Minister?
Nah!
The peasants would not understand what they were being told. They would get it all convoluted, out of proportion. see it as a conspiracy, react inappropriately and start running about like headless chooks.
Lust like our various Governments.
Beware the new normal. Transparency and the democratic process is in danger of being a thing of the past.
Beware Australia.
I fail to see why so many people think of Australia as a beacon of democracy. Ever since the lamentable Peter Dutton came so close to getting the top job his draconian precepts have placed this country at peril. PM Scott Morrison is no bowl of roses either.