Labor's rhetoric on Freedom of Information reforms has not been matched by action, according to shadow attorney-general George Brandis, and the new Special Minister of State, Joe Ludwig, is to blame.
The Federal Government has outlined an ambitious reform program, including the abolition of conclusive certificates and plans to establish an office of the Information Commissioner and to amend the Freedom of Information Act.
But eight months after the conclusive certificates bill was first released, it has still not passed into law.
According to Senator Brandis, plans to establish the Office of the Information Commissioner and push through laws designed to encourage a more pro-disclosure culture have been derailed since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was forced to reshuffle his cabinet.
Senator Ludwig replaced Senator John Faulkner as Special Minister of State about a month ago and is charged with implementing the reforms.
But Senator Brandis said there had been no progress since Senator Faulkner left to take up his new post as Defence Minister.
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