The Albanese government's compliance with freedom of information (FOI) requests has halved, according to new data, fueling allegations of a culture of secrecy within the administration.
Sharp decline in FOI compliance
Figures released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner show that the government's FOI compliance rate fell to just 48% in the last financial year, down from 96% the previous year. This dramatic drop has raised concerns among transparency advocates and opposition politicians.
Reasons behind the decline
The government attributes the decline to a surge in complex requests and resourcing challenges. However, critics argue that the reduction reflects a deliberate strategy to limit public access to information. Shadow Attorney-General Julian Leeser said, 'This is a government that talks about transparency but is actually shrouding itself in secrecy.'
The data also reveals that the number of FOI requests being refused outright has increased, while the time taken to process requests has lengthened significantly. Some requests have taken more than a year to resolve.
Impact on accountability
Transparency advocates warn that the decline in FOI compliance undermines democratic accountability. Dr. Sarah Maddison, a political scientist at the University of Melbourne, stated, 'Freedom of information is a cornerstone of open government. When compliance drops this sharply, it signals a serious problem.'
The Australian Public Service Commission has acknowledged the issue and is reviewing FOI processes to improve efficiency. However, the government has resisted calls for legislative reform, arguing that existing laws are adequate.
Government response
A spokesperson for the Attorney-General's Department said, 'The government is committed to transparency and is working to address the challenges in the FOI system. We have increased funding for FOI processing and are exploring technological solutions to streamline requests.'
Despite these assurances, the opposition has accused the government of 'weaponising' FOI delays to avoid scrutiny. The Greens have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
As the debate continues, the public's trust in the government's commitment to openness hangs in the balance. The coming months will reveal whether the Albanese government can reverse the trend and restore confidence in its transparency practices.
