State Government makes history with release of Cabinet papers

• The first Queensland Government Cabinet documents under a new proactive release scheme are now available.
• Queensland is the first Australian jurisdiction releasing Cabinet papers.
• Queensland becomes the most transparent jurisdiction in Australian history.

The Miles Government continues to strengthen transparency with the first Cabinet documents being made public today under the new Queensland Proactive Release Scheme.

The first two Cabinet submissions to be published are the Integrity Reform Implementation Final Report and status of the Integrity Reform Taskforce, and Our Place: A First Nations Housing and Homelessness Roadmap to 2031 and Action Plan 2024-2027.

The Queensland Proactive Release Scheme began in March with relevant material brought to the Queensland Cabinet from 25 March onwards being published online within 30 business days of consideration, where Cabinet makes a final decision.

The first submissions were due for publication by 10 May 2024, but has been brought forward in recognition of the government’s commitment to transparency.

The new process was introduced following the release of Professor Peter Coaldrake’s report Let the sunshine in: Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector.

Consistent with Professor Coaldrake’s recommendation, proactive release is limited to where a final decision is made by Cabinet.

Additional exclusions have been set for a limited number of submission types for clear reasons.

The model has been informed by a similar scheme in New Zealand.

Quotes attributable to the Premier Steven Miles:

“Our government is now the most transparent government in Australia and the only government in the country to release cabinet records after 30 business days.

“While the first release was not due until 10 May, I have decided to publish the first documents early in recognition of our commitment to transparency.

“Documents released today outline the final implementation report for the integrity reform taskforce, and the First Nations Housing and Homelessness Roadmap announced earlier this month.

“My government is focused on supporting all Queenslanders, and the release of Cabinet documents will serve to emphasise the great work we are doing every day in all communities across the state.

“I want to thank the team that has worked hard to put the scheme together since the Coaldrake report was handed down, and for their ongoing efforts to ensure documents are published promptly.”

Additional information

• The Queensland Proactive Release Scheme is based on the ‘push model’ proactive disclosure approach whereby government routinely and proactively releases information.
• The amount of information publicly available will be significantly more than that which can currently be accessed.
• In line with Professor Peter Coaldrake’s recommendations in his report Let the sunshine in - Review of culture and accountability in the Queensland public sector, there are some reasonable exclusions to proactive release.
• These exclusions are detailed in the revised Queensland Cabinet Handbook, along with the criteria that will be applied for the redaction of sensitive information.
• The updated Queensland Cabinet Handbook was published on 25 March 2024 and includes amendments to support the operation of the proactive release scheme.
• Proactive release material will include submissions, decisions, and all attachments for matters where Cabinet has made a final decision.
• Consistent with the Right to Information Act 2009, Cabinet material deemed out of scope for proactive release remains subject to a 20-year restricted access period.

Documents published through the Queensland Proactive Release Scheme are published here.

The Queensland Cabinet Handbook is published here.

ENDS