Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

The government is not supporting this motion. Labor is committed to a strong FOI system and transparency of government. In 2009, Labor undertook extensive reforms to make it easier for Australians to apply for personal documents. We removed application fees and abolished conclusive certificates. This year, Labor has asked an independent reviewer to undertake a legislative review of the FOI Act. It is clear from these actions that Labor believes in access to information and transparency; however, the government is unable to commit to using a website that is only being launched today. It may well be a good initiative, but we are not yet in a position to know. We also note that the site is being launched with a hackfest and a reported intention to shame public servants. The government certainly does not support this.