Sometimes, the level of secrecy around certain taxpayer-funded organisations is ridiculous.
Andrew LiverisWe appealed that refusal to release documents, arguing a legal carve out exempting documents only related to the committee’s functions – which is primarily to organise the Olympics and nothing to do with which restaurants they eat at.Before the Information Commissioner could make an appeal ruling, the committee has blinked, agreeing to release the expenses bill, saying it was because some RTI rules had changed since the initial application.
Of course, there is no rule or law of this land that prohibits the release of taxpayer-funded expenses. This was just a decision, justified under RTI laws, not to release them, mirroring how officialdom across Australia is typically loath to open itself up for any scrutiny. It’s hard to see what needed to be kept so secret. For instance, a committee member paid $369 one night to stay at the Westin. It’s not like anyone expected them to take sketchy lodgings in Kangaroo Point charging by the hour.
Yes, the bills indicate some directors like a drink or two. But again, $50 for “beer” at the Westin’s Charles bar, or $40 for a couple of wines isn’t the most outrageous expense we could imagine after listening to a full day’s droll in some committee meetings.
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