Crikey has already reported on the way in which former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s office ignored freedom of information requests — and now such requests have gone unanswered. Crikey gun reporter Josh Taylor was told that his application could be processed but it was unlikely that the documents could be accessed. Now another FoI request made to the office of Tony Abbott has ended without success. In March academic Scott Bridgesrequested documents and correspondence between backbencher Andrew Laming and Abbott on the topic of halal certification. His request was acknowledged, but then no correspondence was received until July, when it was refused. A new letter was sent last week, which said the new Prime Minister’s Office doesn’t have the documents requested:

“The change in Prime Minister does not bring your requests to an end.

“However, in reviewing the requests made to the former Prime Minister the new Prime Minister’s office has indicated that they do not have documents that are the subject of your requests (correspondence between the former PM and Mr Andrew Lamming MP).”

It shows a marked change in attitudes between the old PMO and new, with the new office taking a much more pro-active approach.

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