Secrecy culture vs transparency. Albanese’s FOI cost scam

The Albanian Government claims that the Freedom of Information system costs a lot, but it is privacy that costs us dearly. What is fraud?

Fraud is not a search for information to inform the public, but a state secret that increases costs. This is the culture of secrecy that exists within public service FOI teams. This is not a case of ‘transparency with some privacy’, but rather ‘privacy with some transparency’.

The starting point of the FOI Act is that unless there is a good reason why you cannot have the documents you request, you are entitled to them. The government bears the responsibility of creating an exemption regarding access. However, the way FOI departments operate is to start with the idea that you can’t have anything, and then work towards minimal disclosure from there.

Below is an example of an FOI team recommending an extension of processing time so they can make a decision. “whether certain material in the documents may be published”.

The documents I am after in this particular case are the Albanian Government’s plans to establish a National Radioactive Waste Management Facility after the Federal Court struck down the Morrison Government’s decision to establish the facility at Kimba in South Australia.

Where are AUKUS’ nuclear waste costs (landfills aside)?

Government secrecy increases costs. Transparency Jedi and their apprentices in the community will take matters to the Information Commissioner and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal as a remedy for the culture. This includes sourcing and attorney fees.

Mr. Albanese does not understand this; Privacy is much more expensive than transparency.

Rex Patrick is a former South Australian Senator and formerly a submariner in the armed forces. Known as an anti-corruption and transparency warrior, Rex is also known as “Transparency Warrior“