What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill changes the Freedom of Information Act, which lets people ask for government documents. It allows application fees for requests that are not about a person's own information, adds a 40-hour processing cap, ends fully anonymous requests, lets agencies refuse vexatious requests, and changes the rules for cabinet and advice documents. The debate focused on whether the changes fix an overloaded system or reduce government transparency.
Arguments made in support
Government members said the 40-year-old law is out of date, with FOI costs rising to over $86 million and more than one million staff hours a year.
They said agencies need tools to deal with vexatious, abusive and automated requests so genuine requests can be answered faster.
The government said requests for your own personal information, about three in four requests, would stay free, with hardship waivers for fees.
Government members said cabinet confidentiality must be protected, and the bill makes clear that labelling a document 'cabinet' is not enough.
The government amended the bill so people can ask someone else to request non-personal documents on their behalf without naming them.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers opposed the bill, saying it shifts the law away from openness and that fees would act as a tax on seeking information.
Opponents said ending anonymous requests could deter whistleblowers and vulnerable people, and that no clear evidence of bots or foreign misuse was given.
Independent members said the wider cabinet exemption goes against the robodebt royal commission and moved amendments to remove it and the fees.
Critics said the 40-hour cap, longer timeframes and new reasons to refuse could block complex public interest requests.
Crossbench members and the Coalition called for an independent, full review of the FOI system before making major changes.
133 speeches by 36 members in the House and Senate over 5 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 3 Sept 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 4 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 5 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 6 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 24 Nov 2025 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.