Liberal Party candidates' "cheat sheets" prepared at taxpayers' expense

"Cheat Sheets" Violate Australian Public Service Values

If I understand correctly, the Howard Government paid "hundreds of Canberra public servants [to] prepare seat-by-seat 'cheat sheets'" intending to use those cheat sheets to "plan its political advertising." "Thousands of hours ... at taxpayers' expense ... " [Canberra Times, 10 November]

And we, the taxpayers, are not allowed access to this information; "It's not in the public's interest" to see how millions of our tax dollars were spent - or so this Government wants us to believe.

Once again, this Government abused public servants, having them violate the APS Values. The APS shall "be apolitical ... impartial ... professional"; "is openly accountable"; "delivers services ... to the Australian public."

Cheat sheets used by a single party: Neither "apolitical" nor "impartial."

Refusing to release the cheat sheets: Violates "accountability"; keeps information from the "Australian public" that paid for it.

By definition, the information is ours. We paid for it.

And Howard and his mob want us to trust him enough to re-elect him?

Would the members of the Coalition please explain why we should trust you after yet another Government-sponsored scam with our hard-earned money?

Judy Bamberger,
O'Connor ACT

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