Lambie, Hanson and Pocock form unlikely alliance to protect transparency campaigner Rex Patrick
Summary
Several Australian politicians and groups are supporting Rex Patrick, a former senator and transparency campaigner, against the government’s legal challenge over his request for documents about nuclear waste storage. The government department has appealed a decision that favored Patrick and is seeking to make him pay their court costs, raising concerns that this could discourage people from seeking public information.Key Facts
- Rex Patrick is seeking documents on where nuclear waste from Australia’s Aukus submarine fleet will be kept.
- Patrick won a freedom of information appeal in May allowing access to these documents.
- The Department of Industry, Science and Resources has appealed the decision in federal court.
- The department wants Patrick to pay their court costs if he loses, which could be $150,000 or more.
- Eighteen independent and minor party members of parliament signed a letter asking the Attorney General to intervene.
- Civil society groups warn that this legal threat could deter people from using freedom of information laws.
- The Attorney General’s office has not commented on the case.
- Patrick claims the government is undermining the freedom of information system despite earlier promises to increase transparency.
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