Government Secrecy

Newcastle Herald

Thursday September 7, 2006

LEADER

MANY Australian taxpayers would see it as their right to know how much tax the Federal Government collects through personal taxation creep. After all, most taxpayers are affected by creep which occurs when earnings increase but tax thresholds are unchanged. As a result, many workers find themselves pushed into a higher tax bracket and handing over more of their income to the government.

Similarly, the majority of taxpayers would see themselves as entitled to know how many wealthy people had been paid the first home buyer's grant, seeing that it comes out of the tax they pay.

The Federal Government, though, doesn't see any need for taxpayers to have this information. Since 2002 it has been fighting attempts by The Australian newspaper to have the money involved in both matters made public through freedom of information legislation. The newspaper took its fight all the way to the High Court only to be told yesterday by the court that the Government was legally within its right to withhold the information.

The Australian Press Council, which was a party to the case, believes the decision will give governments in Australia fresh impetus to suppress politically inconvenient information. Yet it is questionable whether governments need any impetus, given the way they are increasingly putting obstacles in the path of those who seek information under freedom of information (FOI) laws.

In the matters covered by the court case, Federal Treasurer Peter Costello refused to release the information on the grounds that it was part of working rather than final documents. He issued what are known as conclusive certificates, documents that prevent publication of information on the ground that it is not in the public interest to have it widely known.

Given the information which was sought, it would surely be more the case that it would be in the public interest to let taxpayers know more about the money they are putting into Federal Government coffers. Of course, it might not have been in the Government's interest if taxpayers had found out how much money was being collected in one matter and how much was being spent in the other.

The Herald, like other media, has had to fight hard to get information from governments on subjects including education and health that should be readily available. We join the Press Council in seeking reform of FOI laws. As the Press Council said yesterday, when governments withhold information "the true losers are Australia's voters and taxpayers".

Glenbawn issues

MINISTER for Lands Tony Kelly has taken the appropriate course in removing the Lake Glenbawn State Park Trust board and replacing it with an administrator. A second government inquiry in less than a year has begun into issues involving the board and management of the park, so it is essential that the trust step aside at least until the findings of the latest probe are known. Our national and state parks are precious reserves that are intended to let generations of Australians enjoy a largely unspoilt landscape. They must be managed properly to ensure that happens.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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