John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

In an effort to reintroduce proper debate to the proceedings I welcome the increase from five to ten years in the length of time before Cabinet records can be released to the public. In this era, planning, researching and implementing most Government projects takes longer than five years and it is vital for policy success that deliberations are confidential and effective. We must not allow circumstances to develop in which decision making is not recorded on paper to pre-empt the release of information. We should not advocate a course of action which would result in policy being made through whispered briefings in corridors. I want records.