Episode Details

Former Senator Rex Patrick’s Freedom of Information request about nuclear waste sites for AUKUS submarines has triggered a legal showdown — the government now wants him to pay their legal bills if they win, potentially costing him $50,000. Patrick calls it rare and unjust, arguing sensitive topics don’t excuse withholding info under FOI. A chorus of politicians, including Pauline Hanson and Lidia Thorpe, are rallying behind him, warning this move undermines public accountability and chills transparency. They’re urging the Attorney General to cover his costs or at least waive fees if the government wins — saying it’s wrong to drag an individual into legal costs over politically sensitive documents. This comes amid broader criticism of Australia’s FOI system, which recently shelved proposed reforms that would have made it even harder to access public records.

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