The Wire

The media industry is reeling today after yesterday’s High Court decision to uphold Treasurer Peter Costello’s right to stop The Australian Newspaper from accessing government documents relating to Income Tax bracket creep and the alleged rorting of the First Home-Owner’s grant. Journalists around the country are hailing the death of Freedom of Information but The Australian’s FOI editor, MICHAEL McKINNON says the system can persist. McKinnon’s been involved with the case since the original application in 2002. Now, four years and millions of dollars in court fees later, he is no better satisfied.