The public release of a report into the former ACT Heritage Council could ruin reputations and careers, heritage minister Rebecca Vassarotti (ACT Greens) said, explaining why she negatived the Liberals’ call for its publication.

Last year, Ms Vassarotti dissolved the Heritage Council, following the Nous Group’s findings that the Council’s strained relationships with the supporting government agency, ACT Heritage, as well as ACT Heritage’s own inefficiencies, threatened heritage sites.

While Ms Vassarotti tabled a summary report in November, the government has not published the Nous Group review in full – and the Canberra Liberals are adamant that review must be released.

“Community groups and residents have been contacting my office for months wanting to access this important review,” Nicole Lawder, Shadow Minister for Heritage, said.

“People are being asked to consider new planning laws, whilst having no idea what the future of heritage in the ACT looks like.”

Ms Lawder today moved that the full report, including recommendations, be tabled in the Assembly – the second time she had called for the release of the report.

Once again, the ACT Government rejected her motion.

• Minister dissolves ACT Heritage Council (7 December 2022)
• ACT minister loses confidence in Heritage Council (29 November 2022)

Vassarotti: Public release could damage reputations

The public release of the full Nous Group report is the subject of a Freedom of Information request with the Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate, Ms Vassarotti stated.

“I feel that it is utterly reasonable to wait until this FOI process is completed until I release further details,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“I look forward to this review of what is and is not considered in the public interest, and will release this information publicly after this process has been undertaken.”

The heritage minister said that the summary report was based on an assessment of what was in the public interest.

“I am very conscious of the potential reputational damage to individual members of the Council in relation to this issue,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“While it was in the public interest to release the high level findings, I do not believe it is appropriate to release the full report, particularly given it may identify individuals and breach privacy. Releasing this information could cause unwarranted damage to the reputation and careers of former Council staff members and ACT Heritage staff.”

Lawder: Government is secretive

“It is deplorable to see Labor and the Greens once again refuse to give residents answers,” Ms Lawder said.

“The actions of Labor and the Greens today are in direct contrast of their talk about integrity and transparency. They have once again chosen to govern under a cloud of secrecy and keep Canberrans in the dark as much as they possibly can.

“Not only are they voting against open government, but the Greens voted against the use of a Standing Order that they themselves included in the first place to improve transparency. For the Greens to call themselves a crossbench now is laughable.”

Ms Vassarotti maintained that she had sought to be open and transparent. She briefed the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage, and Environment; answered questions in Estimates; and arranged for a personal briefing for Ms Lawder later this month.

She stated that the interim council was being recruited, and that a comprehensive review of the ACT’s heritage arrangements would be underway by next month.

Ms Lawder said: “We know that the minister’s solution to the findings of this review is to undertake another review into heritage arrangements. Will she provide any assurances to the public that this next review will be made available, or will it too be kept secret?

“Heritage at its core belongs to everyone. For years, residents and stakeholders have been raising concerns about the Heritage Council, and they deserve answers.

“The minister owes the public answers, and we will continue demanding them until they have them.”

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