Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s department failed to provide evidence supporting claims that “AI bots” are overwhelming Australia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) system during a Senate Estimates hearing. The proposed FOI reforms, criticized as a “truth tax” by the Coalition, would introduce new fees and time constraints, making information access more difficult and expanding exemptions for Cabinet disclosures. Under questioning from Senator David Shoebridge, officials could not cite specific instances of AI abuse and instead referenced international cases. The inquiry highlighted a lack of proof for the government’s assertions regarding AI’s impact on FOI applications.
