Labor facing backlash over plans to curb access to government information

Changes announced by Michelle Rowland include new charges for FoI requests as well as tougher rules related to cabinet confidentiality

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Labor is facing a backlash over plans to dramatically curb access to government documents under freedom of information rules, with the Coalition and crossbench signalling proposed changes will struggle to pass parliament.

The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, has announced the biggest changes to transparency rules in more than a decade, including new charges for freedom of information requests to government departments and ministers, as well as tougher rules related to cabinet confidentiality.