- when government is more open to public scrutiny it becomes more accountable
- if people are adequately informed and have access to information, there is likely to be more public participation in the policy-making process and in government itself
- groups and individuals who are affected by government decisions should know the criteria applied in making those decisions
- every individual has a right:
- to know what information is held in government records about him or her personally subject to certain exemptions to protect essential public interests
- to inspect files held about or relating to him or her
- to have inaccurate material on file corrected.
This blog takes an interest in issues associated with Freedom of Information (FOI) and privacy legislation in Australia. Information contained on this site is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Follow Peter Timmins on Twitter: @foiguru Follow the open government cause through the Australian Open Government Partnership Network. www.opengovernment.org.au and @opengovau
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Friday, December 01, 2006
FOI in Australia: 24 years old, needs health tonic
1 December is the 24th anniversary of the commencement of the Commonwealth FOI Act. This extract from the first annual report tabled by the then Attorney General Gareth Evans,is a reminder of the 10 year struggle that took place following the 1972 Whitlam government commitment to introduce FOI legislation, and of the philosophy underpinning the Act (paragraph 1.2.1.):
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