‘Truth Tax’: Labor’s Planned FOI Fee Draws Ire From All Sides

The Liberals and Greens have both criticised what has been called a ‘dark day for democracy’.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during the opening of the 48th Federal Parliament in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on July 22, 2025. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has joined a chorus of Australian politicians condemning Labor’s so-called “truth tax.”

The Albanese government announced it would start charging for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to access Commonwealth documents, a move opponents have dubbed a “truth tax” amid concerns it will veil government transparency.

The changes will be introduced to parliament on Sept. 3.

Proponents argue the move will help prevent time-consuming nuisance requests from artificial intelligence bots.

Ley took to X where she called the move from Labor the “biggest attack on FOI in 15 years.”

“And it’s not an accident,” she said in her post on X.

“Because FOI requests have already exposed uncomfortable truths.

“Bureaucrats warned Labor that disability groups did not support its rushed NDIS timeline, officials raised doubts about Labor’s bulk-billing changes.

“Secrecy is not strength. It is the refuge of weak governments.”

‘Dark Day for Democracy,’ Say Greens

The move has also drawn opposition from the left-wing Greens. The party’s justice spokesperson, David Shoebridge, said the change demonstrated a shift away from public information belonging to the people.

“The changes propose a fundamental shift away from the principle that government information belongs to the public and should be freely accessible,” he said in a statement.

“It’s a dark day for democracy that this is even on the table.

“I’ve lodged many requests for government information that should have been public in the first place and had to fight for months, if not years, to get anything provided in response.”

Shoebridge accused Labor of “hiding more information than ever” from the public, and said the government needed to streamline its own systems rather than enforcing restrictions on the public to solve issues such as time management.

“If you want to target AI bots and foreign actors then first, show us the evidence and second, target them specifically, not the many regular users of this system, including whistleblowers, journalists, and politicians,” he said.

Counting the Cost

Under current FOI laws, anyone can request information held by the government, from details of who has met with cabinet members, papers prepared for politicians by the public service, or their own file held by a government agency.

Attorney General Michelle Rowland remains steadfast in support of her party’s changes, saying they would “address barriers to frank and fearless advice from the public service by ensuring the test for accessing deliberative documents is clearer in law and easily understood.”

Information requests are expected to be set between $30 and $58 (US$37.80).