Open government

An Adelaide Advertiser investigation shows up the lack of accountability, the Advertiser editorialises. Local councils - which should be the closest arm of government to the people - are closing their doors to the public more often. Together, 17 metropolitan councils surveyed by The Advertiser - excluding Adelaide City and Mitcham councils - barred the public from discussion of 430 items in the past financial year, up from 383 the previous year.

Granted, councils are at a disadvantage compared with state and federal governments in that they do not have a private process like Cabinet through which to make confidential decisions. That said, the frequency of closed meetings would appear to be increasing at a time when there is greater public desire for transparency.

There is a case for confidentiality in rare instances, such as a sensitive staff matter or a discussion which may jeopardise ratepayer funds.