FOI expert Rick Snell, of the University of Tasmania, was quoted in the Australian on Saturday as urging all Australian governments to reform Freedom of Information laws, along the lines of a commitment last week by Victorian Premier, John Brumby. Snell said all Australian laws were "out of date and needed an overhaul", and without reform Australia's FOI regime would remain one of the most restrictive in the world.
However Daily Telegraph columnist Piers Ackerman says that based on past performance by Australian Labor Party governments, Brumby's pledge will come to nothing. Ackerman seems to suggest that getting the truth out about the late High Court Justice Lionel Murphy, and a decision not to prosecute a union leader by former Victorian Premier, Joan Kirner, will be the test of whether the ALP "isn't just hot air on press freedom".
I can think of lots of other tests more relevant than these couple of archaeological digs into ancient history.
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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