The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 is the most significant overhaul of Australia’s FOI laws in more than a decade.  

Environmental Defenders Office and Environmental Justice Australia have made a joint submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into the Bill.  

Our key concerns include that the Bill would: 

• Expand exemptions that let agencies refuse requests, including on vague grounds like prejudicing “frank discussion” or “orderly and effective” government conduct – which could be used to prevent access to nearly any document under government control
• Broaden Cabinet secrecy, despite the Robodebt Royal Commission’s call for greater transparency 
• Allow new fees, longer processing times and a 40-hour cap that could shut out complex environmental requests 
• Ban anonymous applications, deterring people who fear reprisals 

These changes could have serious consequences for transparency and environmental protection. 

Recommendations: 
 
We believe the proposed reforms risk making it harder, not easier, for the public to access important information. We are calling for this Bill to be withdrawn and for an independent, evidence-based review to strengthen, not weaken, Australia’s FOI system. 
 
FOI laws have long helped uncover pollution data, expose poor decision-making and reveal the evidence behind major projects. Restricting access to this information undermines community participation and environmental accountability. 

See our joint Briefing Note outlining our concerns here: