Register Questions Need Answers

Media Release 

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says both the Premier and the Education Minister acting for Ros Bates must be able to give full answers on her behalf in State Parliament next week.

“I wish Ms Bates a speedy recovery and hope she can return to her ministerial duties as soon as possible,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“But if that is not possible before next week’s sittings, then I am putting both the Premier and Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek as Acting Minister on notice.

“The Opposition will be asking questions about the lobbyist contact register of Ms Bates and we expect both the Premier and Mr Langbroek to give full answers.

“They have a full week to get to know the details of her lobbyist register.

“Any ducking and weaving on their part will indicate they just do not want legitimate questions answered.”

Ms Palaszczuk also called on the Premier to meet a commitment he gave last week to release all lobbyist contact registers for himself and all his Ministers.

On Tuesday 13 November in Question Time Ms Palaszczuk asked the Premier to table by the end of that day “the lobbyist registers of each of his Ministers since their appointment and confirm that they are a true and accurate record”.

In response the Premier told Parliament: “If they want a particular minister’s diary or lobbyists register, I am happy to release it.”

“It is almost a week since that pledge was made and so far the Premier has failed to release all registers or any diaries,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Why is he continuing to hide this material from scrutiny? What embarrassing information is in those registers that the Premier wants to keep away from public exposure?

“The Premier and his Ministers are in government. They are the decision-makers and they are the ones who need to prove they are complying with requirements designed to ensure openness and accountability.

“It is about time the Premier matched his words with action,” Ms Palaszczuk said.