What are the pros and cons of Cabinet secrecy?

Cabinet secrecy helps to maintain Cabinet solidarity and ensure that the Cabinet is seen as a united team, regardless of the disagreements that undoubtedly exist among individual Cabinet ministers. Cabinet discussions can be full and frank because participants know that word of disagreement will not get out to the media or to opposition parties. As well, Cabinet secrecy helps to shield public servants who advise the Cabinet from public criticism (public servants, being politically neutral, do not normally respond to criticisms). However, the principle of Cabinet secrecy can be used to avoid releasing research conducted by the government that would aid in public discussion of an issue and assist the opposition. In the 2015 election campaign, the Liberal party promised more open government including giving the Information Commissioner the power to order the release of documents that did not involve cabinet confidences (as is the case in the UK and Australia).  This would allow the Commissioner (an officer of parliament) access to cabinet documents to determine whether they could be released in accordance with the provisions of the Access of Information Act.