Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025; Report from Federation Chamber

Continued the debate

Haines argued that the bill contained antidemocratic reforms that would worsen transparency and accountability. Haines contended that the proposed expansion of cabinet exemptions was too broad, as it would exempt documents merely noted in the cabinet process rather than those involving deliberation or decision-making. Haines expressed concern that replacing the dominant purpose test with a substantive purpose test would raise the threshold for disclosure too high. Haines moved amendments to remedy these issues and urged members to support them to protect public access to government information.

Government response

Burke noted that the consideration in detail had already occurred in the Federation Chamber for two hours. Burke argued that repeating the debate in the main chamber would fundamentally change House operations since the establishment of the Federation Chamber. Burke moved a motion to suspend standing orders to allow unresolved questions on the bill to be put immediately. Burke also moved that the question be put immediately to conclude the procedural debate.