Thursday, 7 March 2024

Government accountability

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:52): Yesterday it was brought to this chamber’s attention that I am inexperienced, and perhaps the way I phrased a question was reflective of that inexperience. The fact is: yes, I am. But sometimes fresh eyes are useful. Something I observed yesterday was the fact that it was somehow implied that it is inappropriate to ask questions about the appointment of a senior public servant who is receiving serious delegated ministerial powers. We had the Minister for Housing saying she is not responsible for a cornerstone housing policy, and we had the Minister for Skills and TAFE unable to answer a basic question about the staffing of their department. We do have a lot of theatrics in this house, but what is serious is the accountability of the government for its policy and its delivery. Our role and our obligation, equally, is to bring that accountability to the floor.