New FOI ruling orders disclosure of CSIRO internal documents on its response to Murray-Darling criticisms

The information commissioner says release of material previously redacted by the scientific agency is a matter of public interest

An important freedom of information ruling from the information commissioner involving the CSIRO has set a new bar on when the public service can withhold documents detailing internal deliberations if they concern matters of public importance.

South Australian senator Rex Patrick has been trying to gain access to CSIRO documents that touch on how the scientific agency dealt with criticisms from the SA royal commission into the Murray-Darling Basin plan.