Australia's first Freedom of Information Commissioner in seven years has resigned, citing a lack of power to reform the backlogged system he was hired to fix.
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Leo Hardiman was appointed to the role in April last year, occupying a position which had been left empty since the Abbott government reduced the size of the commission in 2015.
Mr Hardiman's appointment was thought to be a key step towards working through a backlog of freedom information requests.
In May 2022, about half of requests had been with the office for more than 12 months.
In a LinkedIn post Mr Hardiman announced he would leave the role in May this year, detailing roadblocks to streamlining Information Commissioner reviews of requests which had been knocked back.
"Further changes are, however, necessary in my view to ensure that the timeliness of Information Commissioner reviews and, consequently, access to government-held information, is increased," Mr Hardiman wrote.
"The making of those changes is not within the powers conferred on me as FOI Commissioner.
"I have come to the view that I will not be able, in the absence of those changes, to increase timeliness of Information Commissioner reviews and access in a way which best promotes the objects of the FOI Act.
"I have accordingly decided the most appropriate course is to resign my appointment."
He thanked the freedom of information team for its commitment to implementing those changes he had introduced.
"One significant purpose of these changes is to enable larger numbers of Information Commissioner review matters to be actively managed to conclusion, so as to reduce the current backlog of Information Commissioner reviews and promote more timely access to government-held information," Mr Hardiman wrote.
"The Freedom of Information Branch in the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner has shown enormous commitment to the implementation of these changes and the purpose of increasing timeliness of information access."
A spokesperson for the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the government is committed to ensuring the Freedom of Information Act is "operating effectively".
"The Australian government thanks Mr Hardiman for his public service and wishes him well for the future," the spokesperson said.
"A merit-based selection process to fill the upcoming vacancy will commence shortly.
"Acting arrangements for the FOI Commissioner will be announced in due course.".
Miriam Webber
I report on the public service and politics for the Canberra Times. Reach me at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au
I report on the public service and politics for the Canberra Times. Reach me at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au
