Australia - government secrecy in a democratic country: case of an FOI request on an FOI request on emissions trading

First 12 of 12 paragraphs shown Neil Hughes, the director of the emissions trading division had planned to block access to public information by raising the costs of the search and extending the time, alleged Federal Member for Pearce Judi Moylan, Liberal Party.
Speaking on the Information Commissioner Bill 2009 and the cognate bill, the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009, said 'If members of this House are still not convinced of the problems faced by people seeking information, I would direct them to an informative article entitled The minister is protected, but from what? by Mike Steketee in The Australian, published on 21 November 2009'. This detailed his FOI request on his FOI request on emissions trading.
FOI on Department view on emissions trading: In the article, Steketee details:
- Richard Denniss of the Australia Institute lodged a freedom of information request:
- He asked for the internal assessment of the limitations of the proposed emissions trading scheme from the department of climate change:
- After receiving nothing substantial, and having his application for an internal review rejected, he placed an FOI request regarding his initial FOI request.
Yes Minister, you have no information: The material uncovered is enlightening, Moylan told Parliament: For instance, Steketee reported:
- Neil Hughes, the director of the emissions trading division, rang Richard Denniss to confirm whether his request included material involving the minister. The answer was yes.
- But, later, Hughes circulated an email saying: The secretary and deputy secretary have agreed the request does not refer to the minister, therefore ministerial briefing is now excluded from the request;
- Neil Hughes, a director of the emissions trading division, queried in a meeting, ‘how we can increase the charges, extend the (FOI application) deadline’.

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