McGinty - FOI Loser (Pt 2)

Chief Justice Martin rules against McGinty & Carpenter Government

The Desert Rat thinks Jim McGinty has become a recidivist loser, especially with matters involving the Freedom of Information Act.

The McGinty Government (technically the Carpenter Government) has just lost a Supreme Court bid to stop taxpayers finding out the basis of pay rises given to politicians, by making the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal (SAT) subject to the FOI Act.

We will soon be able to read the $185 000 taxpayer funded Mercer Report which the Carpenter Government has been hiding from the public for two years. That is how long it has taken The West Australian to fight this anti-democratic cabal to get the report. This week they were successful in the Supreme Court.

Soon we will be able to find out what the Mercer Report said about politicians’ workloads and learn how the SAT justified the big pay rises two years ago; up to $66 000 for some fat cats. It will make interesting reading when finally released.

The Report may disclose some matters Jim McGinty would prefer to keep secret. Of special interest will be what the Mercer Report says about Jim McGinty's decision to cut the salary of the former Acting Freedom of Information Commissioner Darryl Wookey who was sacked by McGinty after he first slashed her salary. Did he expect her to resign?

The Desert Rat thinks Jim McGinty would prefer the details of that grubby bit of bullying, be kept secret.

The Mercer Report should shed light on McGinty’s appalling political action in downgrading the salaries of three other Government watchdogs that he seems to want muzzled. The Public Service Standards Commissioner and the Electoral Commissioner and the Information Commissioner all got the chop while the politician got the gravy.

Jim McGinty does not seem to want open government.

While chopping funds to these four watchdogs of Government, McGinty has shovelled nearly $90 million of taxpayers funds in the incompetent Corruption and Crime Commission which is desperately trying to destroy Brian Burke and Julian Grill both who are able to thwart McGinty’s complete control of the State Labor Party.

The Desert Rat is interested to read what McGinty and Carpenter have wanted to hide from the public for two years.