At a time when the thrust of Government and Parliament should be towards far greater openness, transparency, access, accountability and inclusiveness in order to give people a greater sense of trust and insight, this legislation goes in the oppose direction. If passed, it will further heighten the sense of exclusion among the public. It will fuel cynicism and increase people's suspicion in relation to the nature of the process of Government. People are already sufficiently alienated from politics and politicians. For politicians to introduce this legislation and dress it up as being in the public interest is one sop the public will not, under any circumstances, swallow.