By Sean Astwood
“A government in the sunshine” is a phase used to describe transparency in government, which is the bedrock of a healthy democracy, ensuring accountability, trust, and the protection of our peoples’ rights.
However, a growing concern amongst our people is the pervasive lack of transparency that shrouds government operations and decision-making processes lately. And there is no greater concern for me than the disappearance of the Cabinet Minutes.
The public publishing of Cabinet Minutes was brought in during the interim administration as a fundamental part of the Good Governance Principles. Against the backdrop of the allegations of government corruption made during the Commission of Enquiry.
One of the primary reasons for the lack of transparency in government is the prevalence of opaque decision-making processes. In many cases, key decisions that affect the lives of our people are made behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny.
This lack of transparency makes it difficult for us to hold elected officials accountable and leaves room for decisions to be influenced by special interests rather than the public good, as we have already seen with this government.
Moreover, the lack of transparency extends to government contracts and procurement processes, where corruption and favoritism often thrive in the shadows. Non-disclosure agreements, lack of competitive bidding, and conflicts of interest.
A most recent example of this is when I exposed the fact that Premier Misick made himself the Minister of the Gaming Commission while being under investigation for an alleged conflict of interest by the Integrity Commission in relation to decisions he made within the Gaming Industry. (See article “Another poor judgement by Premier Misick.”
I have now just learnt that only days after my article was published that the Premier has now put the Gaming Commission back under the Ministry of Tourism. Did you see the Cabinet Minutes stating this or was this major decision published anywhere by the government? And if not, you would have to wonder why? In fact, when was the last time you saw Cabinet Minutes published?
The impact of the lack of transparency in government is far-reaching and undermines the foundations of democracy. Without access to information, you are unable to make informed decisions, participate meaningfully in the democratic process, and hold the government accountable. Especially during these critical months leading up to the upcoming general elections.
The electorate has a right to know who government has been entering into contracts with, giving concessions to, and making other decisions that will shape the future of our islands. The erosion of trust in government institutions can lead to disenchantment with the political system, decreased civic engagement, and a breakdown of social cohesion.
To address the lack of transparency in government, proactive measures must be taken to promote openness, accountability, and the full engagement of our people. Governments should prioritize transparency by continuing practices like publishing Cabinet Minutes and passing laws that guarantee the public's right to access information, like Freedom of Information Ordinance.
Whistleblower protection laws should also be implemented to encourage individuals to come forward with information about government misconduct without fear of retaliation to ensure that decision-making processes are open and accountable.
In conclusion, the lack of transparency in government is a pressing issue that poses a threat to democracy and the rule of law. It is imperative for governments to prioritize transparency, accountability, and openness in their operations to rebuild public trust, promote good governance, and safeguard democracy for our future generations.
The electorate must be kept aware of all government decisions, especially the major ones that will have a direct and long-lasting affect on our lives and the future of our country.