Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Pocock, for the question. I'd make the observation that the government is not proposing to increase costs for people who are seeking access to their own information.

That was part of the question. I'm simply answering the question, Senator Henderson. The freedom of information is a vital feature of our democracy.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Yes, you can laugh, Senator McKim, but it promotes accountability and transparency of government, it enables Australians to access their personal information and it supports the media—important media, here—in their role as the fourth estate. But, right now, the FOI Act is flawed and not working well for anybody, and our laws need to be updated. This week the Attorney-General will introduce important reforms into the parliament to improve the FOI system. It has three fundamental precepts, Senator Pocock: anonymous FOI requests are no longer going to be permitted, genuine FOI requests are prioritised, and taxpayers' money is saved on frivolous and automated requests. Listen to this, Senator Pocock: in 2024— (Time expired)