I'd first say that it's not my view. It's the view of successive governments. It's not just the current government. It's governments that have come before them. As I mentioned, in 1973, there were principles tabled governing the production of documents. We certainly use that as one of the criteria in terms of what can and cannot be shared.
I think it's worth noting that this was re-evaluated in 2010 by the previous government, and the same outcome was a tabled document that made clear you can exclude legal opinions, personal information, cabinet confidences and solicitor-client privilege and that type of thing, which we have consistently done across all departments.
We're also guided by “Open and Accountable Government”, which is something that every prime minister in recent years has had to guide ministers and to guide the public service. I would read to you a passage from that, if I may:
Public servants also have a duty to hold in confidence some of the information that comes into their possession in the course of their duties. There is a tension between that obligation and the request of parliamentarians for disclosure of that same information. When appearing before parliamentary committees, public servants should refrain from disclosing that kind of confidential information, for instance because the information is confidential for reasons of national security or privacy, or because it consists of advice to Ministers. Accounting officers should not disclose confidential information, including advice to Ministers, even where that information pertains to matters of organizational management. In practice, officials should endeavour to work with Members of Parliament, in cooperation with Ministers and their offices, to find ways to respond to legitimate requests for information from Members of Parliament, within the limitations placed on them.