Commonwealth Parliament … Albanese Government’s Freedom of Information Bill unlikely to pass after opposition to it expressed by Coalition and cross bench senators … Report of Senate Committee following inquiry into legislation … No support for changes from outside government … Recommendations to abandon bill and commence genuine reform process … Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Category: Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025
Commonwealth Parliament … Attorney General Michelle Rowland MP introduces legislation amending the Freedom of Information Act … Changes aimed at restricting vexatious and frivolous applications … Application fees for media and other interested parties … Will an opportunity for meaningful reform be squandered? … Editor Stephen Murray comments … more
Bachelard v Australian Federal Police
Full Court of Federal Court … The Age journalist, Michael Bachelard, has win in appeal over denied access to AFP witness statements and internal investigation report … AAT denied access over confidential sources exemption … Full Court rules this was in error … Failure to give consideration to access to redacted versions of documents … Remitted to Administrative Review Tribunal … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Bachelard and Australian Federal Police (Freedom of Information)
Administrative Appeals Tribunal … Senior journalist at The Age loses review of FOI decision … Sought statements and report of professional standards inquiry at AFP … Concerned disclosure of information about Roberts-Smith war crimes investigation to former Commissioner Mick Keelty … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more