Australia’s FOI backlog: 587 cases remain unresolved more than three years on

Evidence given to federal court reveals extensive delay in the review process, including 42 freedom of information cases languishing for five years

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Almost 600 freedom of information cases have languished before the nation’s information commissioner for more than three years, including 42 that are still not resolved after half a decade.

The Office of the Australian Commissioner plays a critical role in the functioning of the FOI system, reviewing decisions made by government departments and ensuring documents are not unlawfully hidden from the public.

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