GRATA FUND & FOI
Dear Tony,
It’s gone!
After sustained pressure from people like you, Grata Fund and our civil society partners, the Albanese Government’s FOI secrecy bill has been forced into the dustbin of history where it belongs.
This morning, the Albanese Government discharged its own Bill from the Senate. It was an embarrassing attempt at a face-saving after learning that Independents, the Coalition, and Greens were planning to defeat the bill next week.
It’s a huge relief, to be honest. This bill would have been a disaster for our democracy. It would have taken a sledgehammer to our FOI laws, treasured by journalists, lawyers, and the public, rendering them practically toothless.
Our FOI system gives all of us power. It allows the public to know what our government is actually doing, behind the polished press releases and curated media lines. It allows us to scrutinise the government on its actions, whether they like it or not.
Today's outcome was hard won. Over the years, with your help Tony, we’ve relentlessly campaigned and supported litigation to protect our FOI system.
It shows what we can achieve when we work together for our democracy – and we have more to do. From widespread disillusionment, the rise of the far right, disinformation, threats to the courts: there’s a lot to do to safeguard our democracy.
#auspol
