Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has broken her silence on the heavily delayed 'Jobs for Mates' report, confirming she's willing to provide the Opposition with confidential briefings about the inquiry's findings.
The Senate investigation into Coalition-era public service appointments has missed its scheduled reporting deadline by nearly two months, raising eyebrows across political circles and prompting questions about what's causing the holdup.
Political Pressure Mounts Over Delayed Findings
Senator Gallagher revealed she extended the offer for confidential briefings to Opposition Senate leader Simon Birmingham last week. This move comes as the Finance Minister faces increasing scrutiny over the inquiry's prolonged timeline.
"I wrote to Senator Birmingham last week offering him a confidential briefing from the department on the work that they've done," Gallagher stated during a recent press conference.
What the 'Jobs for Mates' Inquiry Examines
The controversial probe focuses on public service appointments made during the former Coalition government's tenure, specifically examining whether proper processes were followed in key positions.
Among the appointments under scrutiny are former prime minister Scott Morrison's choice of Phil Gaetjens as Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary, along with other high-profile positions that critics allege may have involved 'jobs for mates' practices.
Opposition Response and Political Fallout
While Senator Birmingham has yet to confirm whether he'll accept the briefing offer, the delay has provided ammunition for Opposition attacks. Coalition senators have been quick to question why the report has taken so long to materialise.
The situation puts Gallagher in a delicate position as she balances transparency concerns with the complexities of the ongoing investigation.
As Australians await the final report, the political stakes continue to rise, with both sides preparing for what the findings might reveal about previous government appointment practices.
