Secrets

Well, we tried and failed. Our appeal to the Ombusdsman to require CNZ to let us have the tripofalifetime reports has been rejected. Strangely it wasn’t CNZ that thwarted us. The Ombudsman made it clear that “The [CNZ] Memorandum did not offer any expectation to the delegates that their reports as a whole (or personal opinions contained therein) would be confidential…” and that “I was not satisfied that it imposed a blanket condition of confidentiality for the entirety of any reports that might be submitted by the delegates.”

So far, so good.

Later in her response, however, the Ombusdman says she felt a later CNZ meeting while not “creating any obligation of confidence…” was “consistent with an understanding on the part of the delegates that their reports would be kept confidential.”

And this is where we came unstuck.

The Ombudsman consulted with all the tripofaliftimers and, what-do-you-know, “each delegate made the point that their reports had not been drafted with the idea of public release in mind.” and “Given that they had not expected public release, certain delegates concerns extended to their grammatical style as well as the sentiments expressed.” So, in the end private interests prevailed over the public interest.

And that was that.

On appeal, we made a compromise offer to the Ombudsman suggesting that the reports be made public with 1) the names of the delegates removed, 2) with anything they didn’t want made public blacked out and 3) that an opportunity was given to delegates to fix any problematic grammar. This was not acceptable and our final request for the release of the reports into the public domain was denied.

Their secrets will go with them to the grave.