New guidelines for ministerial email use

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has released new ministerial guidelines banning the use of private email accounts for ministerial business.

The ban also applies to messaging apps including Facebook Messenger, SnapChat, Wickr and WhatsApp.

Websites and social media posts by their nature are public documents and are therefore disclosed.

“Cabinet endorsed my decision today. These rules take effect from tomorrow and the Ministerial Handbook has been updated accordingly,” the Premier said.

“Following findings of the Crime and Corruption Commission on the risks associated with private email use I committed to review our record keeping and information managements policies,” the Premier said.

“I have already made clear my expectation that all ministers, assistant ministers and ministerial staff use only government email accounts for official business.

“The new Queensland Ministerial Handbook makes it crystal clear.”

Ministerial records include any document that provides evidence of ministerial portfolio responsibility.

The State Archivist issued a new ministerial records policy in December setting out requirements on ministers, assistant ministers and their staff in relation to record keeping.

Media contact:

Shane Doherty 0439 624 473