Whitlam and Fraser call for action on ministerial responsibility
Former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam have released a letter calling for a review of ministerial responsibility. They claim that over the past two decades, standards have slipped to the point where ministers simply do not take responsibility for scandals in their portfolios. While the coalition government’s handling of the children overboard affair and problems with the administration of immigration issues have come under criticism, both former PMs concede a lack of accountability was also evident under Labor. Meanwhile Kevin Rudd has promised a review, but a cloud hangs over his commitment to reviewing freedom of information laws, arguably a central plank in ministerial accountability. Special Minister of State Gary Nairn declined to comment.