Judges reject Commonwealth attempt to keep documents secret after ministers leave office

Former senator Rex Patrick claims ‘massive win for transparency’ in case dating back to 2020 ‘sports rorts’

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The full federal court has rejected the Commonwealth’s attempt to keep ministerial documents beyond the reach of freedom-of-information requests after their authors leave office.

Three judges dismissed a federal government appeal against a single judge’s ruling made earlier this year in favour of former independent senator Rex Patrick. The self-described “transparency warrior” had challenged an FOI refusal that spanned four years, three attorneys-general and two governments.