Andrew Barr has lashed the federal government’s approach to national cabinet as “disgraceful”, saying leaders have been kept in the dark over crucial information. State and territory leaders have criticised the Commonwealth for routinely dropping detailed papers on national cabinet discussions at the eleventh-hour. And amid fears over a surge in COVID-19 cases once restrictions eased, Chief Minister Andrew Barr complained a 100-page dossier on Australia’s public health capacity had arrived less than a day before Friday’s meeting. “It’s one of the worst aspects of national cabinet, the way the Commonwealth approaches dealing with the states and territories. It’s pretty disgraceful to dump papers … less than 24 hours before the meeting,” he said. MORE COVID-19 NEWS: Mr Barr said the practice delayed decision making by giving participants “almost no opportunity” to properly assess key proposals. “National cabinet’s got its strengths and its weaknesses. One of the weaknesses is the way the Commonwealth treats the states and territories,” he said. “It means decisions have to be taken over multiple meetings, because we haven’t even had the opportunity to read the material. “It’s just so disrespectful of the process.” The Chief Minister has previously criticised the Prime Minister’s Office for circulating national cabinet’s agenda items to journalists, before state and territory leaders were made aware of them. Hours before Friday’s meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a timeframe to reopen the international border in November. Details were widely published on Friday morning. Mr Barr said he had seen international travel listed as an agenda item, but was in the dark over details prior to Mr Morrison’s announcement. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also claimed to have been blindsided by the revelation, saying the plan had not been distributed to national cabinet leaders by Friday morning. “I look forward to hearing about the plan … [but] I’m not going to agree to anything when I haven’t seen any formal paperwork,” she said. “It would be irresponsible, and I think Queenslanders would expect me to see some paperwork to understand the issues before an announcement is made. “So it’s a bit disappointing that we haven’t been given that due courtesy before national cabinet.” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also confirmed he had not been briefed on the plan, but stressed its benefits. “I’ve seen reports, and I would welcome that. We want the place opened as quickly as possible,” he said. “I think that’s a fantastic announcement the Prime Minister’s made today … We are absolutely up for that.” Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT and the lockdown is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Barr lashes Commonwealth’s ‘disgraceful’ national cabinet consultation
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Andrew Barr has resumed his attacks on the Commonwealth over its ‘disgraceful’ approach to national cabinet.
coronavirus, andrew barr, scott morrison, national cabinet, border, international travel
2021-10-01T17:45:00+10:00
https://players.brightcove.net/3879528182001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6275007733001
https://players.brightcove.net/3879528182001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6275007733001
Andrew Barr has lashed the federal government’s approach to national cabinet as “disgraceful”, saying leaders have been kept in the dark over crucial information.
State and territory leaders have criticised the Commonwealth for routinely dropping detailed papers on national cabinet discussions at the eleventh-hour.
And amid fears over a surge in COVID-19 cases once restrictions eased, Chief Minister Andrew Barr complained a 100-page dossier on Australia’s public health capacity had arrived less than a day before Friday’s meeting.
“It’s one of the worst aspects of national cabinet, the way the Commonwealth approaches dealing with the states and territories. It’s pretty disgraceful to dump papers … less than 24 hours before the meeting,” he said.
Mr Barr said the practice delayed decision making by giving participants “almost no opportunity” to properly assess key proposals.
“National cabinet’s got its strengths and its weaknesses. One of the weaknesses is the way the Commonwealth treats the states and territories,” he said.
“It means decisions have to be taken over multiple meetings, because we haven’t even had the opportunity to read the material.
“It’s just so disrespectful of the process.”
Hours before Friday’s meeting, Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a timeframe to reopen the international border in November. Details were widely published on Friday morning.
Mr Barr said he had seen international travel listed as an agenda item, but was in the dark over details prior to Mr Morrison’s announcement.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also claimed to have been blindsided by the revelation, saying the plan had not been distributed to national cabinet leaders by Friday morning.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiling plans to reopen the international border. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“I look forward to hearing about the plan … [but] I’m not going to agree to anything when I haven’t seen any formal paperwork,” she said.
“It would be irresponsible, and I think Queenslanders would expect me to see some paperwork to understand the issues before an announcement is made.
“So it’s a bit disappointing that we haven’t been given that due courtesy before national cabinet.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also confirmed he had not been briefed on the plan, but stressed its benefits.
“I’ve seen reports, and I would welcome that. We want the place opened as quickly as possible,” he said.
“I think that’s a fantastic announcement the Prime Minister’s made today … We are absolutely up for that.”
Our coverage of the health and safety aspects of this outbreak of COVID-19 in the ACT and the lockdown is free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. You can also sign up for our newsletters for regular updates.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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