Pressure mounts on Labor to unveil elusive document outlining strategies for evading Senate inquiries
The public disclosure of this confidential manual raises concerns about Labor’s capacity and willingness to fulfill the basic duties of governance.
Supported by the crossbench, the Coalition has called on the Labor government to distribute a document issued by the Prime Minister’s Office to various departments. This document provides instructions on how to handle questions from Senate estimates.
Simon Birmingham, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Liberal Senator from South Australia, criticized the document as a “blatant show of disrespect to the Senate” and demanded scrutiny, explanation, and correction from the Prime Minister.
Question time is essential for holding the government accountable by examining bills, legislations, and policies while representing the interests of Australia’s states and territories.
Months later, Ms. Grant was embroiled in a legal dispute with X, following a global takedown notice issued to the social media platform over posts related to a stabbing incident at a Sydney church. The matter remained in the media spotlight until the High Court of Australia ruled in favor of X, allowing the posts to remain online.
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Senator Birmingham argued that the Labor government’s manual advising departments and agencies on sidestepping Senate questions demonstrates a significant contempt for the Senate.
The exposure of this secret manual calls into question Labor’s competence and willingness to meet the minimum requirements of governance.
While Labor had pledged increased transparency, what they have actually delivered is a high degree of secrecy,” Senator Birmingham noted.
Senator Birmingham urged Labor to withdraw the document from departments, provide comprehensive responses to the Opposition and crossbench, or else “risk establishing a dangerous precedent.”
Labor Answers 43 Percent Fewer Questions Than Former Coalition Government
In 2023, the Coalition also accused the government of evading parliamentary scrutiny.
Data showed that from July 31 to Nov. 31, 2023, Labor answered 177 questions, whereas the former Coalition government responded to 311 questions. This information was highlighted in another media release by Paul Fletcher in December 2023.
During the same timeframe in 2021, the former Coalition Government had answered 311 questions posed by the Opposition.
Mr. Fletcher accused the Prime Minister of deliberately shortening question time, stating that “Mr. Albanese is cutting question time as short as he can without repercussions.”
“In addition to curtailing question time, Mr. Albanese has taken various actions to evade parliamentary scrutiny, such as scheduling fewer sitting days and removing weeks from the parliamentary calendar,” Mr. Fletcher remarked.
Mr. Fletcher highlighted that upon assuming office, Mr. Albanese drafted a sitting timetable that only included 40 days of parliamentary sessions in 2022, down from 67 days in 2021.
“He has scheduled only 17 sitting weeks in 2024, a significantly reduced number compared to historical norms,” Mr. Fletcher added.
The Prime Minister canceled a sitting week in September 2022 citing the death of Queen Elizabeth II and another sitting week in October 2023 due to overseas travel plans.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office for comments.
