‘Lack of transparency’: Coalition responds following release of SG advice - Sky News Australia

The Coalition is still unsatisfied with the release of the Solicitor-General’s advice regarding the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Solicitor-General Stephen Donaghue's submission revealed that the proposal is constitutionally sound and would not impose any obligations on the government.

He stated it “would not pose any threat to Australia’s system of representative and responsible government”.

Newly appointed shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash said Friday’s release is merely “a new opinion” requested by the government for the purpose of making it public.

“This is not the advice which the opposition has repeatedly called for the government to release but rather a cynical political tactic to confuse Australians,” she said in a statement.

“The failure to release all of the Solicitor-General's advice in relation to this matter yet again highlights the lack of transparency of the Albanese government regarding their Canberra Voice proposal.

“The opposition will review this new advice from the Solicitor-General but notes that the Solicitor-General has advised on proposals for the Voice on at least two other occasions – on 26 September last year and again 23 January this year.”

Ms Cash called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to be true to their word and release all of the advice.

“Australians are entitled to see all of the Solicitor-General's advice about the Voice,” she added.

“The government's refusal to release the earlier Solicitor-General advices only demonstrates that the Albanese government is prepared to compromise the integrity of the office of the Solicitor-General by selectively releasing legal advice when it is in their political interests.”

Mr Donaghue went on to explain that in his legal opinion this would be “inconsistent with the deliberate textual choice to empower the Voice to make 'representations' rather than to 'consult', and with the ordinary operation of responsible government”. 

The opinion, dated April 19, refutes concerns raised by critics the Voice’s power to make representations to the executive government would somehow impede decision-making or lead to excessive court cases.

The Solicitor-General added the “modest” reform  would “enhance” Australia’s functioning of government.

The Prime Minister said the Solicitor-General’s advice was “very clear” and slammed Mr Dutton’s attempt to smear the Voice campaign with false claims.

“The Solicitor-General's advice that we asked for to the committee that has been forwarded by the Attorney-General... is very clear and it is unequivocal,” he said.

“This puts to bed the absolute nonsense of Peter Dutton and Barnaby Joyce and all the nonsense that they have carried on with.”

Ms Cash was appointed to her new position following Julian Leeser’s resignation over his support for the Voice.

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2023-04-21 07:49:45Z
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