Here is the Victorian Premier's media release regarding the Freedom of Information reforms. The Bill for changes to the Act has not yet appeared (hope this doesn't foretell the new 'open government era'). The key issue will be just how much plans to provide "easier, cheaper access to a lot more information" on the web, actually achieve this result. The proposed changes to the FOI Act are welcome, but minor in the scheme of things. Abolishing certificates that render cabinet documents exempt and eliminating application fees (but not processing charges) are things that could be emulated elsewhere.
As for extending the time for dealing with a request to a maximum of 75 days FOI, the government is taking 'horse and buggy' baggage into the internet era.
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
Bill and EM here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubPDocs.nsf?OpenDatabase
Statement of compatibility and second reading speech here:
http://tex.parliament.vic.gov.au/bin/texhtmlt?form=VicHansard.sel&origquery=true%250a%2509and%2B%2528%2Bhdate.hdate_3%2B%3D%2B2007%2B%2529%250a%2509and%2B%2528%2Bhdate.hdate_2%2Bcontains%2B%5C%27November%5C%27%2B%2529%250a%2509and%2B%2528%2Bhdate.hdate_1%2B%3D%2B22%2B%2529%250a&summspeech=6225%7EASSEMBLY%7EFREEDOM%2BOF%2BINFORMATION%2BAMENDMENT%2BBILL%7E22%7ENovember%7E2007&summspeech=6225%7EASSEMBLY%7EFREEDOM%2BOF%2BINFORMATION%2BAMENDMENT%2BBILL%7E22%7ENovember%7E2007