The Secretaries Board, a group representing the heads of Australia’s government departments, has requested that the Albanese government implement new rules to limit the distribution of edited video clips from parliamentary hearings. Chaired by the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Steven Kennedy, the board argues that these measures are required to protect public servants from online ridicule and harassment.

This proposal has met with immediate pushback from the Greens, who argue that public hearings are a matter of public record and should remain accessible. The party contends that allowing bureaucrats to control how footage is shared could undermine government accountability and limit the public's ability to scrutinize the actions of high-ranking officials. The debate centers on the tension between protecting individuals from digital harassment and maintaining the transparency of democratic institutions. While the bureaucrats emphasize the need for a safer digital environment, opponents view the potential restrictions as an attempt to shield government processes from public criticism.