A shadow minister is choosing to disclose his diary. Will others follow suit?

A Nationals senator and shadow minister has said he’ll begin regularly disclosing his diary. But there is no requirement on other shadow ministers and ministers to do the same.

Sean Johnson25 July 2025

Image: Supplied

Nationals Senator Ross Cadell is now fully disclosing who he meets with in his capacity as a shadow minister, with the move highlighting the lack of a transparent federal diary system, a system that is commonplace at state level.

The shadow minister for water, fisheries and forestry, and emergency management tells Crikey he has used his new statement to the register of senators’ interests for the 48^th parliament to disclose who he’s met with since being appointed to the portfolios in May.

The NSW senator and former NSW director of the Nationals told Open Politics he will publish his diaries two weeks after the end of each month and committed to continue the practice if he becomes a minister in a future Coalition government. His meetings with constituents are not included in the disclosures.

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