Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The government does not support this motion. Senator Rennick is welcome to request this information under FOI from the TGA. The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives people the right to request access to government held information. This is the framework that the Australian parliament has agreed to for routine access to government held information.

As Senator Rennick's motion notes, part of the information he is requesting through this motion has already been released under FOI. The only reason some information was redacted from the released documents is that it was outside the scope of the journalist's FOI request. If the FOI applicant is not satisfied with the TGA's decision, they can seek internal review or can apply for a review of the decision. This motion ignores the rights that all Australians have under the FOI Act to access documents held by Australian government agencies and ministers. Rather than come to the chamber for this motion, Senator Rennick is welcome to utilise these laws.