Australian FoI loophole to deny access to documents closed in ‘transformative’ ruling

Former senator Rex Patrick's bid to scrutinise documents relating to sports grants upheld by federal court after refusal by FoI watchdog

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A loophole in Australia's freedom of information laws allowing governments to block the release of documents after a minister has moved on has now been closed after a truly transformative" federal court ruling.

The former South Australian senator, Rex Patrick, has been fighting to appeal a decision that denied him access to advice held by the former attorney general, Christian Porter, on the administration of sports grants in 2020.

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