Australian Conservation Foundation analysis of freedom of information statistics reveals an increase in refused FOI requests, more redactions, higher charges and longer delays all plaguing Australia’s system of access to government documents.

Key findings:

• Refusal rates are rising, as is the use of exemptions to prevent information being released. Over five years, the percentage of FOI requests refused outright by agencies with an environment-relevant portfolio increased by nearly 50%. In the same period, the percentage of requests released in full nearly halved.
• Delays are routine, with more than a third of the decisions on ACF’s requests not being made by statutory deadlines. More than a third of ACF’s requests were fulfilled late, with 60% late by a month or more and 39% overdue by more than two months.
• Environmental agencies are among those charging the most for FOI requests. Between 2015 and 2020, the average amount charged per request for environmental portfolios was double the average cost for all requests across government.
• The federal Environment Minister refused outright 39 FOI requests in the last financial year, while only one was granted in full and three were granted in part.
• Government appears to be using lengthy review processes as a tool for denying access to information.