Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Suspension of meeting

At 4.34 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 4.46 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

Suspension of meeting

At 6.05 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair due to the lack of a quorum.

Resumption of meeting

At 6.11 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and a quorum being present—

Debate continued.

Ms Chaney moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and calls for an independent review of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, with terms of reference to provide recommendations on how best to:

(1)encourage greater proactive disclosure of information to the public, and thus reduce the need for formal freedom of information requests;

(2)maximise accessibility, transparency and efficiency for genuine and lawful freedom of information requests, including through setting an appropriate fee structure;

(3)improve the timeliness of dealing with freedom of information requests, including review processes;

(4)ensure that exemptions to disclosure requirements do not go further than is required for good government;

(5)create a robust system for the resourcing, training, auditing, and oversight of authorised officers responsible for freedom of information decisions;

(6)manage vexatious and frivolous requests;

(7)address the potential impact of artificial intelligence, both to improve freedom of information processing and to mitigate the impact of its use in generating vexatious and frivolous requests; and

(8)provide structural support for public servants to provide frank, honest, timely and evidence-based advice”.

Debate ensued.

Suspension of meeting

At 8.32 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 8.35 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continued.

Ms Spender moved, as an amendment to the amendment proposed by Ms Chaney—That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“declines to give the bill a second reading, and:

(1)notes that:

(a)freedom of information laws are there to serve the public, not make the lives of Ministers or public servants easier;

(b)in designing this bill, the Government failed to consult any members of the public, journalists or other stakeholders who use the freedom of information legislation, only Government departments;

(c)the Centre of Public Integrity has ‘fact-checked’ four claims the Government have made relating to this bill they argue are false; and

(d)the Centre of Public Integrity has recently released its Integrity Report Card that gave the Government a ‘fail’ on 5 out of 6 integrity measures, including a fail on ‘Commitment to Transparency’; and

(2)urges the Government to urgently address the issues raised in the Integrity Report Card and prioritise restoring public trust in Government”.

Debate adjourned (Mr D Smith), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.