The Australian Government has introduced new regulations aimed at preventing future occurrences of secret ministerial appointments. 

New measures are being introduced in response to the secret ministries scandal involving the former Liberal-National government, which appointed ministers to multiple portfolios without public disclosure.

The Albanese Government announced that new regulations, approved by the Governor-General, would ensure that all ministerial appointments made since the election of the current government would be transparently reported. 

These regulations are an extension of the Ministers of State Amendment Act 2023, which came into force in November 2023. This legislation mandates that all ministerial appointments must be publicly reported.

“Australians deserve to know who is responsible for the decisions that affect their lives,” said Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister.

“Our Government has now made sure that they always will be.”

The introduction of these regulations was a recommendation of the Bell Inquiry, which investigated the actions of the former government. 

These regulations will apply retrospectively to the entire term of the Albanese Government, ensuring that ministerial roles, responsibilities, and any acting arrangements are publicly notified. 

Key changes include requirements for the Official Secretary to the Governor-General to publish a notifiable instrument detailing which ministers are administering departments, their responsibilities, and any acting arrangements. 

Revoked appointments will also be included in these disclosures.

The new regulations were framed to restore integrity and transparency within the government. 

“Never again will secrecy or deception be a part of the Australian Government’s ministerial arrangements. Nor should it have ever been,” Gorman said. 

Critics of the previous government have pointed out that the undisclosed ministries violated the principle of responsible government, a foundational element of Australia’s democratic system. 

Copies of the official instruments of ministerial appointments will now be available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website. 

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