TasTAFE’s info blackout

INFORMATION that could explain why TasTAFE provided misleading information to the media over travel expenses has been withheld.

However, a Right to Information expert says the decision is incorrect and there are arguments for its release on the grounds of public interest.

The Mercury learnt of an Integrity Commission “Operation Black” investigation into nepotism inside TasTAFE in August last year.

The Mercury subsequently asked the Department of Education questions, including whether it was paying the accommodation, flights or other expenses of then-chief executive Stephen Conway and his deputy Lori Hocking.

A response from TasTAFE on August 10 said all personal travel was paid for at Mr Conway and Ms Hocking’s own expense. “Both Stephen Conway and Lori Hocking have family in South Australia. Both travel to South Australia at weekends, generally every 2-3 weeks. This travel is done at their personal expense,” it said.

However, an Integrity Commission report tabled in Parliament in May this year found the benefits provided to Ms Hocking by Mr Conway included monthly return airfares to South Australia and $6000 a year for accommodation.

The Mercury submitted a Right to Information request for all correspondence related to media inquiries made in August 2016. But TasTAFE withheld information on the basis it constituted internal deliberations and therefore was not in the public’s interest to release.

University of Tasmania right to information expert Rick Snell said TasTAFE’s decision to withhold the information as “internal deliberations” included no evidence, and should have provided details of what information existed, such as whether it was emails, memos or meeting notes.

Associate Professor Snell said TasTAFE also needed to demonstrate that it would be contrary to the public interest to release the information. The Mercury has requested an internal review of the decision.

In Mr Conway’s response to the Integrity Commission report, he said he had no knowledge of the investigation into him until November last year “beyond a request from the Mercury in October that I denied because I was ignorant of the fact."