EXPLAINED: 2 | Vintage Vibes

Rex Patrick in renewed legal fight over Australia’s ‘broken’ freedom of information system

Former senator appeals federal court ruling that information watchdog’s lengthy delays were not unreasonable as it was bound by funding

The Guardian - AU · Sep 21, 2023

Environment Agency failing to monitor water firms in England, data suggests

Watchdog is supposed to audit firms yearly to ensure they are not illegally dumping sewage, but 36% of audits since 2010 are missing

The Guardian - UK · Sep 13, 2023

Former information commissioner claims in Senate inquiry he was ‘manhandled’ and ‘gaslighted’ by leadership

Leo Hardiman has spoken at length to a Senate inquiry about how his complaints about a massive freedom of information backlog were ignored by OAIC leadershipFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

The Guardian - AU · Aug 29, 2023

Nearly half of women fail garda fitness test as younger candidates also struggle

Overall, 162 potential recruits of the 520 who applied in 2022 crashed out due to fitness failings – a failure rate of more than 30 per cent

Irish Mirror · Jun 11, 2023

FOI documents show ministers were told of risks to Aboriginal cultural sites at Middle Arm precinct near Darwin

Larrakia traditional owners raised concerns with federal and territory ministers about the potential impact of a major industrial hub planned for Darwin before $1.5 billion of Commonwealth funding was confirmed.

ABC News · May 11, 2023

FOI commissioner complained of being ignored and ‘limited’ staff before resigning, tense emails reveal

Exclusive: Correspondence shows Leo Hardiman expressed frustrations to agency head Angelene Falk

The Guardian - AU · May 11, 2023

Drug seizures quadruple at Greater Manchester prison

A total of 675 drug seizures took place at HMP Hindley between 2020 and 2023

Manchester Evening News · May 2, 2023

Cardiff council defends spending tens of thousands on mayor's car and chaffeur costs

Cardiff Council said the figures revealed in an FOI represent a tiny fraction of its overall net annual budget

Wales Online · Apr 25, 2023

‘Buckling’ NHS fails to treat 250,000 children with mental health problems

Exclusive: child mental health crisis deepens with one-third of all referrals denied help

The Guardian - UK · Apr 16, 2023

How the British royal family hides its wealth from public scrutiny

Ahead of the coronation of King Charles III, the Guardian’s Cost of the crown series exposes the entrenched secrecy around the royal family’s money and wealth

The Guardian - UK · Apr 5, 2023