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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Basford Canales

‘Addiction to secrecy’: opposition and crossbench slam Labor’s ‘undemocratic’ changes to FoI – including charging fees

Jacqui Lambie Network Senator Jacqui Lambie and Independent senator David Pocock
Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie are among those condemning Labor’s proposal to introduce fees for freedom of information requests, with Pocock arguing the changes would be ‘damaging for transparency and our democracy’. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The Albanese government’s proposal to introduce fees for freedom of information requests and reduce what documents can be released has been widely slammed by opposition and crossbench senators as “undemocratic” and evidence of Labor’s “addiction to secrecy”.

The Labor-chaired Senate inquiry released its report on Wednesday recommending the bill be passed but the Coalition, the Greens, and senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie all submitted their own reports condemning the plans.

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