The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, has stated that the government remains committed to improving the Freedom of Information (FoI) system, describing it as 'a vital feature' of democracy. However, recent revelations suggest that Labor's promise of transparent governance is facing significant challenges.
Auditor General's Report Exposes FoI Failures
A scathing report from the auditor general has highlighted how Treasury officials have been withholding documents until Fridays, effectively burying them over the weekend. Of 155 applications reviewed, nearly half were deliberately delayed to the end of the week. Treasury was also found to lack any formal policy for handling FoI requests, despite claiming to have five procedure documents in a 2023 draft, none of which actually existed.
Broader Transparency Issues
The report's finding that 80% of FoI requests were blocked in part or in full is seen as another indictment of the Albanese government's transparency record. Other examples include the release of the government's response to an inquiry on gambling advertising on budget day, when most of the press gallery was occupied. Independent senator David Pocock called the timing 'cowardly', while crossbencher Monique Ryan described it as 'the height of political cynicism'.
Parliamentary Scrutiny Undermined
The Centre for Public Integrity (CPI) has criticised the government for providing minimalist responses to parliamentary questions. In one instance, Labor answered a question about an infrastructure fund with just eight words: 'Invitees for the program were identified by government.' CPI's executive director, Catherine Williams, said this 'doesn't even meet the low threshold in the government's guide for providing minimalist responses'.
FoI Reforms Stalled
In March, Labor abandoned its controversial plans to overhaul FoI rules, conceding there was no viable pathway through parliament. Rowland ruled out an independent review, stating, 'There have been multiple reviews of FoI in the last 15 years. Everyone agrees that right now, the FoI system is broken.' Transparency advocates are also frustrated that whistleblower law reforms appear to be on hold, with no action since submissions closed in October.
Attorney General's Department Under Fire
Further embarrassment came during budget estimates hearings, where it emerged that the attorney general's department had itself delayed FoI applications to avoid scrutiny in parliamentary hearings. Department secretary Katherine Jones insisted her staff took compliance with FoI laws seriously, but her answers satisfied no one on the committee.
Tom McIlroy is Guardian Australia's political editor.
