Services Australia Reverses FOI Policy After Accessibility Concerns
Services Australia has abandoned its longstanding practice of withholding documents released under Freedom of Information laws from its website. The agency has now uploaded FOI materials dating back twelve months, marking a significant shift in its approach to public transparency.
Accessibility Limitations Prompt Policy Change
The agency previously required individuals to apply for access to already-released FOI materials rather than automatically publishing them on its disclosure log. Services Australia attributed this practice to "accessibility limitations" that posed potential disability discrimination risks.
"The documents would only be available for download in one file type format, which may pose a potential disability discrimination risk," the agency explained in a response to Senate estimates questioning.
Senator's Criticism Leads to Reform
The policy change followed persistent questioning by Liberal Senator James Paterson, the opposition's finance and public service spokesperson. Senator Paterson had complained that the former approach was "contrary to FOI guidelines" and completely out of step with other government departments.
"It's completely out of step with every other government department or agency I've dealt with," Senator Paterson stated, highlighting the inconsistency in government transparency practices.
New Approach to Document Accessibility
Under the revised policy, Services Australia will now make accessible versions of disclosure log documents available upon request. While the agency defended its previous approach by noting it wasn't the only government body requiring online forms for FOI access, it acknowledged receiving advice to change this practice several years ago.
The summer upload of previously withheld documents represents a belated but welcome improvement in government transparency and accessibility standards.
Taxpayer-Funded ChatGPT Subscriptions Revealed
In related FOI revelations, documents show that artificial intelligence tools have become commonplace among Australian politicians and public servants. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been billing taxpayers for his ChatGPT Plus subscription, according to official records released by the Finance Department.
Widespread AI Usage in Government
The monthly expense of USD$22 plus GST represents a minor portion of former prime ministers' taxpayer-funded office costs, which totaled $1.8 million last year. However, it highlights the growing integration of AI tools in political operations.
Other politicians invoicing ChatGPT subscriptions include:
- Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson
- South Australian Labor MP Matt Burnell
- Independent Wentworth MP Allegra Spender
Interestingly, a ChatGPT team subscription was also invoiced for an unnamed member of the Pocock family, with their first name redacted from the released documents.
Coal Declarations and Fashion Lobbying
The FOI documents and parliamentary registers reveal additional insights into political activities and interests across Australia's federal landscape.
Senator's Coal Collection
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, a vocal opponent of Australia's net-zero emissions target, has declared not one but ten lumps of coal on his register of interests. The mounted pieces were gifted to the Queensland senator by Bravus Mining and Resources.
Senator Canavan also declared two nights' accommodation in Adelaide provided by the South Australian Liberal Party in December 2025, potentially for meetings with fellow net-zero opponents within the party.
Fashion Industry Advocacy
Meanwhile, Australian-made leather boot manufacturer RM Williams has secured a lobbying victory with the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion and Textiles group. The bipartisan group aims to connect MPs with industry stakeholders including the Australian Fashion Council and Tattarang, the investment vehicle that owns RM Williams.
The group, co-chaired by independent MP Dai Le along with Liberal MPs Matt Burnell and Zoe McKenzie, intends to explore matters relating to Australia's $28 billion fashion and textiles sector. Key focus areas will include:
- Industry growth and manufacturing capability
- Workforce development and export opportunities
- Education and promotion of Australian-made products
This development highlights the ongoing intersection between political advocacy and Australian manufacturing interests, particularly in the context of promoting domestic production and industry development.
