Independent Senator Rex Patrick has challenged the Morrison government in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal over its alleged secrecy around national cabinet decisions on the COVID-19 response. Patrick believes that the National Cabinet is not properly constituted and that the Prime Minister is “unilaterally and unlawfully wrapping a secrecy blanket” around the government’s COVID-19 response. Currently, the National Cabinet has an exemption from the Freedom of Information (FOI) Laws as a “cabinet” has the entitlement for a “class exemption.” This mean’s that all medical advice to the national cabinet, the emergency Australian Health Protection Principal Committee of top health officers and the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission is shrouded in secrecy. Speaking to ABC radio on Wednesday, Patrick said that he thought the Morrison government’s decision to call the weekly meeting a cabinet was counterproductive. It functions more like a council—which can release its documents to the public depending on the content. …