Labour’s Premier House Transparency Calls Hollow Till It Backs Opening Parliamentary Books

The Taxpayers’ Union says Labour is close to hitting the nail on the head with its calls for greater transparency over spending on Premier House, but must now commit the same principle to Parliament itself.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigative Lead Rhys Hurley, said:

“Labour is right that taxpayers shouldn’t have to fight to find out how their money is being spent. The problem is that principle
has been forgotten when the spending happens inside Parliament.”

“While the wider government is subject to the Official Information Act, Parliament continues to enjoy a level of secrecy that would never be accepted from the wider public service.”

“Talk is cheap. If Kieran McAnulty and the Labour Party genuinely believes taxpayers are entitled to see the receipts, they should commit to back our Open the Books campaign and extend the OIA to Parliament.”