Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

The discretionary refusal powers in schedule 7 allow agencies to reject the requests deemed frivolous or harassing. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has raised concerns about the lack of safeguards. My question to the minister is this: what safeguards exist to prevent agencies from abusing the new discretionary powers to refuse requests deemed frivolous or intimidating or harassing? Without clear definitions and oversight, this provision risks arbitrary denial of access. I call on the minister to introduce robust safeguards.

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