Release of government documents to the public is declining under the Albanese government

Summary

The Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, has revealed a concerning decline in the Australian government’s compliance with Senate production orders, which mandate the creation and disclosure of government documents. Under the Albanese administration, compliance has fallen to a mere 20.4%, compared to the 92% rate recorded in 1993-96, and 48.7% under the Morrison government. Governments often resist disclosure by invoking public interest immunity claims, alleging potential harm to national security, cabinet deliberations, investigations, or commercial relations. The Albanese government has made such claims more consistently than its predecessor. To enhance transparency and integrity, the think tank suggests the establishment of an Independent Transparency Monitor to adjudicate disputed privilege claims and discourage unwarranted secrecy.

This summary comes from the Canberra Times, was written by Miriam Webber, and can be found here.