The Abbott government is "clearly uncomfortable" with the level of scrutiny that comes with office hence the disbandment of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, which oversees freedom of information services and privacy complaints, the opposition says.

As part of the federal budget handed down by Treasurer Joe Hockey on Tuesday night, the Abbott government has removed more than $10 million in funding from privacy and freedom of information services, and abolished the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

Attorney-General Senator George Brandis said reforms will remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy. Credit:Andrew Meares

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner provides public access to Commonwealth government information, protects the privacy of personal information, and manages the public’s right of access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act.