Public integrity experts say they support the recommendations of the Bell inquiry. 

The report from the Bell inquiry into former prime minister Scott Morrison’s ministerial appointments brought with it six recommendations. 

It calls for legislation requiring ministerial appointments be published in the official government Gazette, and the authorisation of an acting minister be published in the Gazette.

It says that all acting arrangements should be published on PM&C’s website, alongside a document identifying which ministers are responsible for which department, including the division of responsibility when there are multiple ministers.

The inquiry also found that a ministerial appointment website should be established so the public can work out which minister is responsible for which matters, and for departments to publish a list of ministers administered to them, as well as a list of the ministers administering the department in their annual reports. 

The executive director of the Centre for Public Integrity, Han Aulby, has told reporters that the Centre supports the recommendations.

“Hopefully, the new parliament will be taking accountability and transparency more seriously. And hopefully, the public sector can welcome in a new culture of integrity,” the Mr Aulby said.

He said the report shows a lack of accountability of ministerial power, and the need for an increase in the scrutiny of executive power.

“We need to improve our whistleblower laws to encourage public servants to call things out,” Mr Aulby said.

Similarly, the CEO of Transparency International Australia, Clancy Moore, said the government should implement the recommendations as soon as possible.

“The role of government staff in not disclosing the appointments also raises red flags,” Mr Moore said in a statement.

“Transparency International strongly supports the recommendations including introducing legislation to require public notice in the Commonwealth Gazette of the appointment of ministers to administer departments and hold offices, and the publication of acting arrangements for ministers.”