The Australian government's department, led by Anthony Albanese, has rejected nearly 80% of freedom of information requests. This shocking fact comes from a scathing audit report that was published today, May 20, 2026.

The report found that the departments didn't have appropriate policies and procedures to meet transparency obligations. They weren't maintaining adequate freedom of information records either. Last financial year, 79% of applications were refused in full or in part. 57% of applications resulted in no documents being released.

Anthony Albanese is the current Prime Minister of Australia, and his department's handling of freedom of information requests has been under scrutiny. Albanese has been in office since 2022, and his government has been criticized for its lack of transparency.

Gabrielle Appleby, the head of research for the Centre for Public Integrity, said the audit report was supposed to provide parliament with assurances on effective administration of freedom of information rules. Unfortunately, its findings don't do that. The report confirms that Australia's freedom of information system isn't operating as a mechanism of transparency and accountability. It's operating within a government culture of poor record-keeping, resistance, and delay.

The 1982 Freedom of Information Act allows members of the public to request official documents from government ministers, departments, and agencies. However, the system is often slow. It can result in heavily redacted information being released.

In March, Labor dumped its controversial plans to overhaul freedom of information rules. These plans would have imposed new fees and further reduced transparency. The government argued changes were required because public servants were spending too much time responding to requests for government information and decision-making. They won't be making those changes now.

The auditor general considered some of the more than 43,000 applications received by the Albanese government in 2024-25. The auditor general found that the departments didn't have appropriate policies and procedures to meet transparency obligations. There was a 25% increase in the number of freedom of information applications across the government last financial year.

Among application decisions referred to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for review, 62% were decisions that were changed or overturned. This indicates bureaucrats weren't adhering fully to disclosing official information.

  • 79% of freedom of information applications were refused in full or in part last financial year.
  • 57% of applications resulted in no documents being released.
  • 63% of requests were subject to longer response times than the mandated 30-day deadline.
  • 62% of application decisions referred to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for review were changed or overturned.
  • There was a 25% increase in the number of freedom of information applications across the government last financial year.

The auditor general's report has raised concerns about the Australian government's commitment to transparency. The fact that the government's department is blocking most freedom of information requests doesn't inspire confidence in the system. The report's findings will likely lead to calls for greater transparency and accountability in the Australian government. It's unclear what specific actions the government will take in response to the report. Something needs to change, though.

The government won't be able to ignore these findings. They'll have to take action to address the issues raised in the report.