[Greens-Media] Rees should make budget estimates work

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
13 October 2008


Rees should make budget estimates work

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is calling on Premier Nathan Rees* to make
good his commitment to greater openness and less spin by instructing
Ministers and senior bureaucrats to answer questions candidly during
this week*s Budget Estimates in NSW Parliament.

Budget Estimates run from Monday 13 to Friday 17 October 2008. MPs are
able to question Ministers and senior bureaucrats about their portfolio
areas.

*Budget Estimates perform a vital function, allowing MPs to
scrutinise the actions and policies of the government of the day,* Ms
Rhiannon said.
 
*During Bob Carr and Morris Iemma*s terms Budget Estimates have
become a fob-off fest, with top-class offenders including Michael Costa,
Eric Roozendaal and Joe Tripodi.

*In the past government ministers like Costa and Tripodi have done
anything to avoid answering questions and resulting adverse media
attention. 

*Ministers are known to filibuster, time waste and turn the attack
back on the questioner, showing complete contempt for the process.

*Budget estimates are one of the few opportunities MPs get to
cross-examine Ministers and senior bureaucrats in depth.

*MPs act as a conduit, allowing community groups and members of the
public to ask questions of the government.

*Often these important meetings are hijacked by the government to
avoid embarrassment.

*On becoming Premier Nathan Rees pledged that one of his top three
priorities is to work towards restoring public confidence in his
government. Rees also said his would be a *spin-free* government.

*If Premier Nathan Rees is serious about openness and accountability
he will instruct his ministers and senior bureaucrats to treat Budget
Estimates with the seriousness they deserve.


For more information:  Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
For an example of an exchange during budget estimates between Lee
Rhiannon and Michael Costa see:
http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nsw/content/2006/s1742966.htm