AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Freedom of Information (FOI) Reform
Introduction
The Australian Government announced as part of its 2007 election policies that it would reform the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) with the principal objects of promoting a pro-disclosure culture across the Government and building a stronger foundation for more openness in government. The reforms are being implemented in two stages.
First Stage – Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009
The Freedom of Information (Removal of Conclusive Certificates and Other Measures) Act 2009 commenced on 7 October 2009. The Act repealed the power to issue conclusive certificates in the FOI Act and the Archives Act 1983. You can view the Act at the ComLaw website. For information about the Bill for this Act, please visit the Parliament of Australia ParlInfo website.
Second Stage – Information Commissioner Bill 2009 and Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009
The Government introduced the Information Commissioner Bill 2009 and the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009 into the Parliament on 26 November 2009. You can track the Bills’ progress through Parliament and view information on the Bills at the Parliament of Australia ParlInfo website: Information Commissioner Bill 2009 and Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009.
Appointment of the Information Commissioner Designate
On 26 February 2010 the Government announced the appointment of Professor John McMillan AO as the Information Commissioner Designate. Professor McMillan will be responsible for ensuring the Office of the Information Commissioner is fully operational as soon as practicable after passage of the Government’s FOI reform Bills through the Parliament.
The Office of the Information Commissioner. will combine Privacy and Freedom of Information in a new office headed by the Information Commissioner, and supported by the Privacy and FOI Commissioners,
RESOURCES
This blog takes an interest in all issues associated with Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy legislation in Australia. It also includes comment about open transparent and accountable government and privacy issues generally drawing on developments in Australia and overseas.
Freedom of information and privacy in Australia : government and information access in the modern state
Moira Paterson
Chatswood : LexisNexis Butterworths, 2005
ISBN: 0409319953
Book description
Freedom of information and information privacy play a significant role in defining the interrelationship between Australians and their governments. Access to information is essential for public accountability, while control by individuals over their own personal information is vital for the protection of individual autonomy.
Freedom of Information and Privacy in Australia: Government and Information Access in the Modern State provides a clear exposition of the different legal regimes that govern access to, and amendment of, government information, including freedom of information laws, information privacy laws, health records laws and public records laws.