The law says Australians have a right to access government information, but public servants and ministers have abused the system to delay and obfuscate, holding back information that is in the public interest.

The panel brings together Transparency Warrior and frequent FOI applicant Rex Patrick, former Information Commissioner Professor John McMillan and Isabelle Reinecke, who heads the Grata Fund which has had success challenging government FOI secrecy in the courts.

Short-term reforms may strengthen FOI law, but ultimately it comes down to the culture of secrecy in government.

Australia Institute polling research finds that only one in five Australians (21%) are very confident that Australia’s FOI system gives Australians access to all the government information they are entitled to.

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