ACT cabinet documents could be released within 30 days, rather than a decade later, under a bill being introduced by the opposition.

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee said cabinet materials in the ACT are released on Canberra Day, a decade after the record’s submission date.

But an exposure draft for a bill released today by (May 27) Ms Lee and soon to be introduced into the ACT Assembly, would require most papers considered by the territory’s cabinet to be made publicly available within 30 business days of a cabinet decision.

Ms Lee said governments must be “open” and “transparent” wherever possible.

“This ACT Labor-Greens government routinely hide their failures and mismanagement from the public by refusing Freedom of Information requests on the grounds they contain cabinet material,” said Ms Lee.

“A culture of secrecy has been fostered under this Chief Minister and a government that has been in power for over 20 years.

“This bill strikes the right balance between providing necessary transparency while also giving exemptions to documents deemed not in the public interest.”

Ms Lee said New Zealand has a similar policy in which cabinet papers and minutes are released within 30 business days, unless there is a good reason not to.