Blunting Freedom of Information Prioritises Opacity
A System Under Pressure
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has introduced the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025, framed as a way to reduce frivolous or automated requests and save taxpayer money. Her office highlights that public servants spent more than a million hours processing FOI requests in 2024. The new bill introduces measures such as:
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A 40-hour processing limit for requests before they can be refused
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New fees for applications, estimated between $30 and $58
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Broader exemptions for documents tied to Cabinet, shifting the test from “dominant purpose” to “substantial purpose”
The government argues these measures will free up resources and ensure “genuine requests” are prioritised.
Transparency Concerns
Academics and journalists dispute the government’s rationale. Maria O’Sullivan of Deakin University found no evidence that AI bots or pseudonymous requests are overwhelming the system. Investigative journalist Nick McKenzie describes the FOI regime as already “broken,” with agencies delaying or blocking requests to avoid releasing sensitive material.
Critics argue the new time limits and charges will further discourage researchers, academics and the media, weakening one of the few tools available to hold government accountable.
Missed Opportunities for Reform
Key issues remain unaddressed, particularly the underfunding of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), which has led to years-long delays in reviewing FOI appeals. Former Senator Rex Patrick has warned that these delays effectively strip citizens of their rights, as underfunded systems cannot deliver timely oversight.
The Irony of Secrecy
The reforms highlight a broader cultural concern. While the Albanese government once criticised its predecessor for fostering a “cult of secrecy,” it now risks entrenching similar habits. By broadening exemptions and tightening limits, transparency is set aside in favour of administrative convenience.
As McKenzie cautions, any reform that reduces the release of information, particularly Cabinet material, undermines the central purpose of FOI: ensuring accountability in government decision-making.