Data shows that the Australian government's refusal to reject requests for information freedom at a rate unknown to a decade has raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

Data held by the Australian Information Commissioner’s Office oversees the FOI system, showing that the percentage of FOI requests that were completely rejected could reach up to 27% in the December 2024 quarter.

Historical records show that this is the highest level since at least 2014-15 years.

OAIC said it is aware of the rise in rejection rates and is monitoring the situation.

"We are still alive as regulators and surveillance Commonwealth FOI system with some obvious opportunities for improvement," a spokesperson said. "This includes rejecting rates."

The rapid rejection rate has prompted transparency advocates to attract attention.

Clancy Moore, Australia CEO of Transparency International, said the FOI system is an important tool to ensure accountability and integrity, but rejected interest rate recommendations “important information about government operations is being retained from everyday Australians”.

“Given the commitment of Albanian government to transparency, open government and integrity, there is a clear argument to introduce stronger consequences for illegal rejection, increased funding for FOI teams and OAICs, and continue to work to promote a culture of openness and transparency in the public sector,” he said.

The Commonwealth has improved its performance in other areas of FOI systems. Over the past three years, it has increased the pace of its decision making, partially reversing the significant decline between 2019 and 2022. Now it processes 75% FOIS within the required time limit, from 70% limit in 2021-22.

The federal government also releases more enemies than its state and regional counterparts. It is continuing to reduce the cost of handling FOIs to applicants.

OAIC said that FOI should be the core business of government departments.

"We want to see government agencies see it as something they need to do well in order to get the trust and confidence of the community," a spokesperson said.

OAIC is now intervening in reviewing rejection decisions at a record pace, with a merit review in 207 cases in 2023-24.

It said it plans to improve its role as a FOI regulator, promote the effectiveness of open government and improve the ability of government agencies to respond to FOI requests.

"The right to acquire information and require government responsibility to participate in government decision-making is one of the basic characteristics of our democratic government system," the spokesperson said.

“The FOI Act recognizes that government-owned information is a national resource and is managed for public purposes and that public access should be timely and at a minimum reasonable cost.”