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Diaries of New South Wales ministers to be open for public inspection Diaries of New South Wales ministers to be open for public inspection
(35 minutes later)
The diaries of New South Wales state ministers will soon be open to public inspection as the premier, Mike Baird, moves to clean up state politics.The diaries of New South Wales state ministers will soon be open to public inspection as the premier, Mike Baird, moves to clean up state politics.
After another state Liberal MP has been forced to resign over secret donations to the party, Mike Baird says a diary summary of each minister's external meetings will be published quarterly. After another state Liberal MP was forced to stand down over secret donations to the party, Mike Baird says a diary summary of each minister's external meetings will be published quarterly.
It will list the purpose of the meetings, the organisations involved and details of any lobbyists present.It will list the purpose of the meetings, the organisations involved and details of any lobbyists present.
"It provides discipline on ministers and discipline on anyone who wants to come and see a minister," Mr Baird told ABC Radio on Tuesday."It provides discipline on ministers and discipline on anyone who wants to come and see a minister," Mr Baird told ABC Radio on Tuesday.
"You need to understand those details will be made public."You need to understand those details will be made public.
"The public has a right to know who is meeting and what they're meeting their government about."The public has a right to know who is meeting and what they're meeting their government about.
"By improving that transparency, we believe it goes a long way to restoring confidence in decision making and it is a critical step forward as we try and clean up politics here in NSW.""By improving that transparency, we believe it goes a long way to restoring confidence in decision making and it is a critical step forward as we try and clean up politics here in NSW."
The state opposition has been pushing for ministers' diaries to be published. The state opposition has been pushing for ministers' diaries to be published and pressure on Baird to act grew on Monday when Liberal state MP for Newcastle Tim Owen said announced that he would not contest the next election following damning evidence suggesting prohibited donors contributed to his 2011 campaign. Two ICAC inquiries have now claimed the scalps of seven Liberal MPs, including premier Barry O'Farrell.
Mr Baird has agreed there has to be greater transparency and accountability in the way ministers deal with business.Mr Baird has agreed there has to be greater transparency and accountability in the way ministers deal with business.
Queensland is the only state that makes its ministers publish their diaries, on a monthly basis.Queensland is the only state that makes its ministers publish their diaries, on a monthly basis.
Overseas, both the US president and British prime minister publish their diaries online.Overseas, both the US president and British prime minister publish their diaries online.