Dear Australian Information Commissioner

I am someone who has requested documents from a government department and viewed numerous documents released under FOI  as part of research I undertake into the public service and policy making. I believe strongly that further limits should NOT be put on the release of the names of agency staff. I have experienced so much frustration in my work and paranoia by public service departments in being unwilling to release even ordinary non controversial information.  Once it took a department 5 months to decide to release very basic information to me which was only for research purposes.

The fact that you are considering allowing the names of public servants to be deleted before documents are released under FOI is very concerning - it is a sign that the government is going further and further in denying citizens valid information, and putting a blank brick wall before people who are just trying to find out information about government and every day policy making.  This would be another retrograde step, based on no valid or demonstrated risks to individuals but just paranoia and the public service instinct to shut citizens out of basic information. 

It is time you stood up to this secrecy instinct by the public service and asserted the rights of citizens in a democracy. At the same time the government moves against transparency about its actions, it seeks and records more and more information about citizens.  As government grows more powerful through digitalisation in terms of its surveillance and control of citizens, it is important that we have clear sight of government and what it is doing and why.

I STRONGLY oppose proposed moves to delete the names of departmental staff from FOI documents.

Yours sincerely

M Page