The Attorney-General's Department has been unable to say how many Freedom of Information (FOI) requests come from anonymous or automated sources.

The revelation came this week in Senate estimates hearings, as the government tries to push through FOI reforms which have been criticised by public transparency advocates.

Labor has cited the burden on public servants to deal with anonymous or automated applications as a key reason for the reforms.

• Guest: Catherine Williams, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Integrity.
• Producer: Grace Stranger