David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Farrell. The government has announced new restrictions on the freedom of information, including higher fees for applicants. Given that the FOI system is already under strain, how can increasing costs for Australians seeking access to government documents possibly enhance transparency?

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

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator David Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, a recent report by the Centre for Public Integrity shows FOI requests granted in full have plunged, from 59 per cent under the Gillard government, to just 25 per cent under the Albanese government and outright refusals have nearly doubled over the same period. How can introducing fees that are likely to deter citizens and journalists be justified when the system is already failing to deliver transparency?

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

I thank Senator Pocock for his first supplementary question and his interest in this issue. You've quoted some figures there, Senator Pocock, but I'd like to quote some other figures. These relate to the fact that, in 2024, public servants spent more than one million hours processing FOI requests. If only those public servants could have been working on health, on the NDIS or on education, rather than focusing on answering frivolous FOI requests.

Senator Pocock, this is a really important reform because this is a transparent government. We are an open and transparent government. What you see is what you get. (Time expired)

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I'm waiting for order!

Senator Shoebridge, order!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Across the chamber! I've called for order. I'm still waiting. So disrespectful towards me. Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. Unfortunately, the stats show that your government is actually the second most secretive on record. Having spoken briefly to—

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right! Please continue.

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Having spoken briefly to Julian Leeser this morning, from the other place, and from what is happening on the crossbench, who is going to support this friendless bill that will crack down on transparency?

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

I thank Senator Pocock. I remember when we had the electoral reform legislation coming up in the last parliament. Everybody said, 'Look, that legislation is friendless,' and yet it passed the parliament. Senator Pocock, if you're seriously interested in transparency, and I—

Senator McKim, just be quiet for a little bit while I'm talking. You can learn something from this as well. If the crossbench, the Greens and the coalition are serious about getting genuine transparency, they'll be on board for these reforms. We can establish that these reforms are really, really important for continued transparency and the operation of government. They are sensible reforms. (Time expired)