The Tasmanian government's reluctance to disclose information from its businesses has sparked a heated debate, with the premier's office threatening new legislation to enforce compliance. This issue has come to light following a motion passed by the parliament in March, urging state-owned businesses to establish public disclosure logs for right-to-information (RTI) requests. The motion was a response to the non-publication of RTI documents by Tasracing, which raised concerns about transparency and accountability. The premier's office wrote to government businesses, reminding them of their legal obligations and urging them to publish RTI disclosures within 48 hours of their release to the applicant. However, not all businesses complied, leading to a scolding from the leader of government business, Eric Abetz. He expressed disappointment and called for amendments to the Right to Information Act to compel enterprises to maintain active and up-to-date public disclosure logs. This situation has ignited a cultural debate, with the Greens integrity spokesperson, Cassy O'Connor, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift in government businesses. She criticized the 'cowboy-like attitude' and secrecy, suggesting that these businesses should operate in the public interest and be accountable to Parliament. The Labor integrity spokesperson, Ella Haddad, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting a 'prevailing culture of secrecy' under Liberal governments and the need for improved transparency. The government's response to the Spirits ferry debacle in 2025, which involved stricter oversight and transparency measures, has also been called into question. The incident, where two government businesses failed to complete a construction project on time, resulted in significant financial losses. This series of events underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and accountability within the Tasmanian government's businesses. As the debate continues, the premier's office is considering legislative changes to address the non-compliance, while the opposition parties advocate for a cultural transformation in government operations.
