Anger at Labor as Rex Patrick faces potential six-figure legal fee if he loses Aukus documents battle
Summary
Rex Patrick is fighting the government in court to access documents about the Aukus submarine deal and where nuclear waste will be stored. The government says Patrick must pay up to $150,000 in legal fees if he loses, which has caused criticism from some politicians and transparency groups.Key Facts
- Rex Patrick used freedom of information laws to request details about nuclear waste storage from the Aukus submarine fleet.
- He won an administrative appeal in May to access these documents.
- The Department of Industry, Science and Resources appealed to the federal court to overturn that decision.
- The government says Patrick must pay legal costs up to $150,000 if he loses in court.
- Politicians Jacqui Lambie and Pauline Hanson criticized the government’s decision, calling it a threat to transparency.
- Attorney General Michelle Rowland supports seeking costs from Patrick to protect government interests.
- Several crossbench MPs and transparency groups oppose the legal challenge, worrying it will discourage freedom of information requests.
- Critics say high legal costs may prevent journalists and citizens from holding the government accountable.
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