Barely anyone except Labor supports the government's FOI reforms

The proposed Freedom of Information legislation faces overwhelming bipartisan and crossbench opposition, signaling a likely legislative failure for the government. Critics argue that the current system requires greater transparency, particularly in light of past bureaucratic failures, rather than the restrictive changes introduced by the bill. With key groups united in their dissent, the government lacks the necessary Senate support to pass the measure without significant concessions, highlighting a deep disconnect between policy intent and public expectation. Central to this resistance is the introduction of fees, processing caps, and mandatory applicant identification, which stakeholders view as barriers to accessing public records. Submissions to the Senate inquiry were virtually unanimous in condemning these measures, with only internal government bodies offering support. The proposed reforms are seen not as improvements, but as mechanisms that exacerbate existing delays and redactions, ultimately undermining the integrity and effectiveness of the open data framework by prioritizing administrative convenience over citizen rights. This conflict is critical to open data advocates because it demonstrates how well-intentioned reforms can inadvertently erode accountability if they impose financial or procedural hurdles on information seekers. The rejection of the bill by independent lawmakers and experts underscores a broader demand for genuine system reform rather than superficial adjustments. For the open data community, this episode serves as a stark reminder that true transparency requires proactive access, not restrictive gating, influencing future debates on how government information should be shared and managed.

Source: crikey.com.au
Published on 2025-10-09

Barely anyone except Labor supports the government's FOI reforms

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