Victoria State Government

Martin Pakula Asks Government To Help Him Brief Shadow Cabinet

Victor P Taffa

In an extraordinary admission of difficulty in getting across his brief, Shadow Attorney-General Martin Pakula MP has asked the Victorian Coalition Government to help do his job for him.

As a Shadow Minister, Mr. Pakula is normally expected to attend Bill briefings from the Government and then explain the contents of legislation to his Opposition colleagues.

However, in an unprecedented break with practice, Mr. Pakula has asked the Government to brief 13 of his colleagues because he has difficulty mastering his portfolio.

In line with usual practice, the Government offered to provide a Departmental Bill briefing to the Shadow Attorney-General and/or his adviser about the Bill to introduce the independent FOI Commissioner.

On this occasion, Daniel Andrews’ office (Opposition Leader) advised that 13 of Mr. Pakula’s colleagues would have to attend to help and support the Shadow Minister. When asked, Mr Andrews’ office refused to name the MPs.

This embarrassingly transparent lack of confidence in the Shadow Minister by his Leader was given consideration by the Government.

However, Mr. Andrews’ office was advised that by convention, Bill briefings provided by Departmental officers are a courtesy regularly offered to Shadow Ministers to explain Government bills. The briefings are offered to the relevant Shadow Minister and an adviser.

It is not the Government’s job to brief the entire Opposition party room or Shadow Cabinet, although the Government understands the difficulties that Mr Andrews is experiencing.

The Government will not allow departmental officers to be intimidated or used as tools in Opposition political stunts.

In the normal course of events, the relevant Shadow Minister would attend the departmental briefing and then, in turn, brief the Opposition party room.

It is telling that Mr. Pakula feels the need to bring a dozen of his friends to explain the Bill to him.

The Government continues to extend the invitation for Mr. Pakula and an adviser to attend a Bill briefing on the introduction of an Independent FOI Commissioner.