A No brainer - input as smooth as...!

Well, this is small entry on a related topic -- but this time the media are the "good guys".

We have a very touchy government “system” that wants to limit the amount of access to information (FoI – Freedom of Information).

I think this response is part of the general governance culture that feels less stress if the levels of external threat are minimised – rather than focus on fixing the problems.

It’s part of the same “cover up” culture at work.

In case it gets lost over time my contribution (input) was published in full.

And hey, it's a no brainer as to why it went through into the media system so smoothly - self interest on their part by any chance - or am I just getting better at this game?....Hmmmm....;-)

Russell of Perth
08/09 at 04:38 PM

The governments of this country need to know that they are “accountable in the public interest” and good governance relies on good information. Any person in a public office, from the Prime Minister down, must act according to the ethics of the role they are in.

With the exception of few special areas, the only issue that can be put against rampant FOI disclosures is the cost. I for one want to know that the media are able to report on any reasonable matter without permission from some “Peking-central” polit-bureau.

Personally I think the amount of tax that people pay into the public purse should be published and celebrated annually. It is the only way that small people like myself could possible rank higher than the multi-millionaires who think it smart and a public duty to “minimise” their
contributions.

But that aside, general performance information about policy performance (e.g. on taxation) is a simple part of a system’s audit function that helps improve understanding, and signals to those who we should be holding accountable. Where there are no consequences, there is little or no accountability. I’m all for The Australian on this one. Sic ‘em Rex! I want to know, and know that I can. [Hang the cost]