Government vs Citizen Over Nuclear Waste Secrets | Australia News

A transparency advocate, Rex Patrick, is locked in a high-stakes legal battle with the Australian government over where nuclear waste from AUKUS submarines will be stored. After winning a freedom of information victory, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources is now suing him in federal court — even seeking to recover up to $150,000 in legal fees if he loses. Patrick argues this is a deliberate tactic to scare citizens away from using FOI laws, calling the government’s conduct anything but a “model litigant.” In a rare political unity, 18 lawmakers including Pauline Hanson, Jacqui Lambie, and David Pocock have backed him, warning this move threatens Australia’s freedom of information system by creating a chilling effect. Civil society groups like the Human Rights Law Centre and Transparency International are also urging the Attorney General to intervene, fearing this could set a dangerous precedent for government secrecy. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/be84760fd71995d6