A culture of secrecy has taken hold in Australia with a new report finding 500 laws now restrict media access and up to 1000 suppression orders control court matters at any given time.
The Report of the National Audit of Free Speech also found Freedom of Information laws were ineffective with one request for the travel claims of MPs resulting in a $1.25 million processing charge.
The report's findings will put fresh pressure on the Howard Government to match reforms promised by Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd before the November 24 election, including the creation of an independent FOI Commissioner.
Former NSW Ombudsman Irene Moss handed her independent audit to the chiefs of major media organisations.
Ms Moss said her findings showed many of the mechanisms vital to a well-functioning democracy were now at risk from secrecy, censorship and lack of transparency.
"The audit would broadly conclude that free speech and media freedom are being whittled away by gradual and sometimes imperceptible degrees," Ms Moss said.
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