FOI in Australia: Decrease in FOI requests

FOI in Australia: Decrease in FOI requests

Freedom of information requests to federal government departments in Australia have fallen to their lowest level in five years.

But more FOI applications are being approved, the latest figures show.

The annual report on freedom of information laws, released today by former Howard government attorney-general Philip Ruddock, details how well the crucial laws are achieving their aim of ensuring transparency in government.

It also shows bureaucrats are still refusing to release a great deal of information held by federal departments. One in five requests for information during 2006-07 was knocked back at least in part, although 80 per cent of applications were granted for full release - a two per cent increase on 2005-06.

FOI requests lowest in five years (The Australian, 12 December 2007)