4.1.13 Spokespersons
Principles
Spokespersons must respect privacy rights, security needs, matters before the courts, Government policy, Cabinet confidentiality and ministerial responsibility at all times.
Responsibility for public statements on Government policies, priorities and decisions lies with the relevant Minister.
The Minister may assign other people to speak in an official capacity on issues or subjects for which they have responsibility and expertise.
Policy requirements
With the exception of Cabinet Ministers, no public statement is to be made or question from the media answered by anyone in Government, without approval of the statement or of the spokesperson by the relevant Minister OR Head of Agency or his/her nominee.
Exceptions to this include:
- Police Media Unit - in circumstances where there is an operational police matter being dealt with
- Fire and Emergency Services - where there is an emergency operational matter such as fire, flood or storm
- Director Public Health – where there is a public health matter
- Statutory Officer Holders - with independence from government such as the Auditor-General, the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, the Ombudsman, the Courts, the Director of Racing etc.
To ensure that the requirements of their agency and this policy are met, agencies must:
- identify appropriate spokespersons to speak on an agency’s behalf, including technical or subject matter experts
- develop, disseminate and maintain inhouse protocols regarding designated spokespersons
- ensure that designated spokespersons receive instruction, particularly in media relations, to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
See Policy: Media relations
