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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Christopher Knaus

Australia’s FOI backlog: 587 cases remain unresolved more than three years on

Former senator Rex Patrick (centre) outside the federal court in Melbourne on Monday.
Former senator Rex Patrick (centre) outside the federal court in Melbourne on Monday. Patrick is arguing that the Office of the Australian Commissioner should be required to act on FOI requests without unreasonable delay. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Almost 600 freedom of information cases have languished before the nation’s information commissioner for more than three years, including 42 that are still not resolved after half a decade.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner plays a critical role in the functioning of the FOI system, reviewing decisions made by government departments and ensuring documents are not unlawfully hidden from the public.

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