The Regional NSW Minister has been accused of having “fled to the regions,” for ditching a supplementary budget estimates hearing, with MPs calling for her to be censured once parliament resumes in the new year.
Tara Moriarty, who holds the portfolio for agriculture, regional NSW and Western NSW, was the only minister to be recalled to give further evidence at a supplementary budget estimates hearing on Wednesday.
While the hearing schedule states Ms Moriarty will give evidence from 9.15am to 1pm, committee members were given less than a day’s notice that she would appear only until 10.30am, and would also be appearing online, via Webex, rather than in person.
It’s understood she is currently accompanying NSW Premier Chris Minns on a trip to Walgett and Broken Hill, which had been organised before she committed to reappearing at estimates.
However her absence has led to a group of cross-party MPs accusing the minister of “flouting” accountability.
Committee chair and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Mark Banasiak said he was “extremely disappointed” at the minister’s decision, which meant MPs would be limited in how many questions they could pose to the minister.
“The date was well known in advance, it was discussed in advance … so one has to ask the question: Why didn’t she raise it then?” he said.
The motion to recall Ms Moriarty to give further evidence was made in parliament in late November, with the government supporting the motion. Introducing the motion, Ms Banasiak noted more than 102 points of order were taken by government committee members, which decreased the amount for questioning.
Nationals MP Bronnie Taylor, who is also on the committee and would be driving five hours from Nimmitabel to appear in person, said Ms Moriarty’s physical absence showed a “disregard for transparency and accountability”.
“She’s p***ing in the face of the parliamentary process and it is absolutely abhorrent. She has fled to the regions,” she said.
“You tell me what me what she’s doing in Broken Hill and Walgett that she couldn’t have done on Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Her opinion was echoed by her party colleague Sarah Mitchell.
“The upper house acts as the democratic process of review and it’s important we have participation from the government’s ministers,” said Ms Mitchell.
“For us as Nats, there are a number of issues we want to raise with her that stakeholders have brought to us, which we will now not be able to ask.”
Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said it was a “shocking snub” by the minister, and that Ms Moriarty had failed to provide a “proper reason” for why she couldn’t appear for the full four-hour sitting.
“The minister seems to be playing games rather than being willing to answering genuine questions from the community and MPs about her portfolio, which is incredibly disappointing for a new minister and does not reflect well on the Minns Labor Government,” she said.
“To advise the Committee the day prior that she will not be attending budget estimates in person, and will only be online for just 1.5 hours, is unacceptable, and shows a complete disrespect for well-established parliamentary processes.”
MPs said they were now considering whether to make a censure motion, formally reprimanding Ms Moriarty once parliament resumes in February next year, with committee members Mr Banasiak, Ms Hurst, Ms Taylor and Ms Mitchell in support of a motion.
“I think members of the legislative council should consider what further action should be taken when parliament resumes, and that includes a censure motion,” said Ms Mitchell.
Ms Hurst also agreed, saying: “This creates a dangerous precedent of disrespect for the budget estimates process.”
A spokesperson for Ms Moriarty’s office said the minister’s mix of portfolios means she is “constantly travelling to meet with communities and discuss with them reviews of long overdue matters abandoned by the former government”.
They added there were “many precedents” where members attended hearings online.
“The Minister announced in October a commitment to attend regional development roundtables across regional NSW and has a longstanding diary commitment to the far west with roundtables in Bourke (December 12) and Broken Hill (December 13),” they said.
They said Ms Moriarty would be meeting with the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Wednesday morning, before attending a Broken Hill roundtable afterwards.
“The minister attended the budget estimates hearing seven weeks ago in October, is attending on Wednesday December 13, and is back again in eight weeks before a budget estimates hearing on February 21 2024,” they said.