Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

Fatima Payman

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 22 June 2026:

Modernising and improving the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act), with particular reference to:

(a) updating the Act to account for advances in technology, where necessary;

(b) ensuring that the Act works for all participants in the freedom of information process;

(c) protecting the right of Australians to access information held by the Australian Government;

(d) what elements of the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 ought feature in any future reform to the Act;

(e) what elements of the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 ought not feature in any future reform to the Act; and

(f) any other related matters.

Sue Lines

The question is that business of the Senate motion No. 2, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.