Transparency Warrior. Former Senator for SA, business development manager, project manager, underwater acoustics instructor and submariner.
Adelaide, South Australia
Joined November 2017
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I now conclude my time as a Senator in the Federal Parliament. It’s been such a privilege to represent South Australia. Unconstrained by party lines, I never held back and I never voted against my conscience. I’m proud of what my team and I achieved. No regrets! #auspol
I’m 3 years into an #FOI ‘battle’ with @DefenceAust after requesting analysis on the national security implications of #climate change. They ‘surrendered’ 3 docs to me yesterday, but are witholding a further 15 docs in case the ‘enemy’, Mother Nature, were to see them. #auspol
For now, while @AlboMP is fuelling his secrecy addition, I’ll just have to read the UK’s government’s assessment. #auspol gov.uk/government/publicatio…
Today I conduct my #FOI work from Roslyn Estate. Peaceful and inspiring!
Roslyn, Upper Lachlan Shire, NSW, #WorkFromRoam
Hey @JEChalmers! You need to be listening to all possible solutions to our productivity slowdown. Listening to solutions doesn’t mean you have to adopt them. #FlawedPolicyDevelopment #auspol
Shame on a Labor-controlled Parliamentary Joint Committee accepting a departmental secretaries’ proposal to ban clips of officials’ parliamentary evidence being posted on social media, but not accepting a rebuttal submission. #NoFreeDebate #auspol strategicanalysis.org/fear-o…
Two different days, two different #FOI views. Yesterday I watched the resolving of FOI questions of law in the Full Federal Court. Today I’m pondering my next FOI with a much more relaxed backdrop.
Roslyn, Upper Lachlan Shire, NSW, #WorkFromRoam
Yesterday Snowy Hydro’s barrister told the Full Federal Court that the company operates on a commercial basis. Today we see its dished out executive bonuses in response to a $13B blowout. Can anyone square that circle? #auspol theguardian.com/australia-ne…
Day 2 with 1 Senior Counsel, 2 barristers and 3 lawyers for the Govt, 1 barrister for Snowy Hydro and 7 tagalongs from both (with the 3 justices and 5 associates/court staff also being paid for by us) and @AlboMP wonders why FOI costs a lot 🤦♂️! #auspol
One more sleep until my Snowy 2.0 court case, which might ultimately prevent officials entering into confidentiality agreements that prevent taxpayers accessing performance info about publicly funded projects. It’s an open court - transparency die-hards are welcome. #FOI #auspol
The Govt enters into $100B worth of contracts each year, all with confidentiality terms that prevent citizens from knowing if the contractor is performing well. If I win in the Full Federal Court next week, that’ll all change. #transparency #Snowy #auspol michaelwest.com.au/snowy-blo…
For those that haven’t read the Guardian article of yesterday, the Administrative Review Tribunal has rejected the Govt’s application to ban media & the public from the “open” hearing. The 2004 Timor spying operation just got a little less secret. See you on 25, 26 and 27 Nov in Canberra. #auspol
According to the Auditor-General’s most recent Defence Major Project Review the total budget variation (blow-out) across 21 major projects since initial Govt second-pass approval is $37.254 billion. Here’s Secretary Meghan Quinn engaging in Senate Committee ‘management’. #auspol
#FOI has revealed a plot by our million dollar departmental secretaries to “to strengthen our management of [Senate] committees”. It’s contemptuous of the Senate and completely disrespectful of our system of responsible government. #disgrace #auspol michaelwest.com.au/cover-up-…
#FOI has revealed a plot by our million dollar departmental secretaries to “to strengthen our management of [Senate] committees”. It’s contemptuous of the Senate and completely disrespectful of our system of responsible government. #disgrace #auspol michaelwest.com.au/cover-up-…
Only ASIS and @dfat think John Howard’s 2004 Timor spying mission is still a secret. To fuel their own fantasy they asked a Tribunal to ban the public and the media from an ‘open’ hearing into the matter. The Tribunal has properly issued a short sharp "no”. #auspol theguardian.com/australia-ne…
Last month Defence Dept Deputy Secretary Celia Perkins shocked the Senate by demanding senators not post videos of public servant’s Budget Estimate answers on social media.
I wonder how she might feel about me posting her ‘don’t post public evidence’ planning email on social media. 🤷♂️ #FOI #auspol
3 justices of the SA Supreme Court ruled SA citizens are allowed to see briefs used by officials to inform the SA Parliament on what Govt is doing. @PMalinauskasMP disagrees and is asking the High Court to restore secrecy. You can follow the case here 👉 hcourt.gov.au/cases-and-judg…
I’m in the ART today and tomorrow fighting for public access to info on how the Govt will/won’t support the Whyalla Steelworks. For almost a year, at your expense, Clayton Utz and the Australian Government Solicitor have been preparing @AlboMP’s secrecy case #FOI #battle #auspol
The Govt enters into $100B worth of contracts each year, all with confidentiality terms that prevent citizens from knowing if the contractor is performing well. If I win in the Full Federal Court next week, that’ll all change. #transparency #Snowy #auspol michaelwest.com.au/snowy-blo…
I’m into my second year of #WorkFromRoam. It’s started off with a colourful sunset.
Yarrangobilly River, Snowy Mountains, NSW.
365 days have passed since I left home and commenced a #WorkFromRoam lifestyle. What’s the experience been like, and what have I learned? Being isolated, but everywhere at the same time. Being on my own, but courting a lot. Here’s my story👇. #inspire michaelwest.com.au/rex-patri…
