What is interesting is that there are many players when you look behind the scenes that are involved in larger agendas. The wolf in sheeps clothing. on the one hand are those calling for transparency in FOI/Government which an easily turn into no privacy as well later on.
The transparency panel raised issues about delays in FOI but not the substantive issues of denied access. Privacy can be used in respect of ‘personal data’ that has been cherry picked as a means to access more personal information by agencies. Transparency of government is hidden behind fire walls, non-disclosure contracts, private actors and a culture that promotes risk management and digitisation rather than democracy.
The public when listening to all voices must check out boards. See who is on them. Many would fit into the wolf in sheeps clothing where both sides of the argument are controlled working against the very transparency of freedoms the public expect. Transparency of government not in sculptured narratives but via investigations by those with no vested interests is in the public interest.
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Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss whistleblower protections, improving the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and why Australia may be the world’s most secretive democracy.
This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
Find all the content from the Australia Institute’s Transparency Summit 2024 on our website or via the Australia Institute on YouTube.
Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program, the Australia Institute // @Browne90
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Show notes:
Secrecy is not security, Bill Browne (October 2024)
Labor and Democracy, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP (December 2019)
Making freedom of information “sexy” with Rex Patrick, Follow the Money (April 2024)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
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