Amid the tumultuous events of the week Attorney General Mark Dreyfus introduced the Public Interest Disclosures Bill 2013 placing it squarely in the context of the government's commitment "to building and maintaining a culture
of transparency."
"An open and transparent government is a key feature of
a healthy democracy" the Attorney General said, and we all agree with that.
Of course it has taken years to get to this point, enough time for Dreyfus himself to go from committee chair to the big chair.
Haven't had a chance to look yet at what might have changed since the last time-three years ago-that a government responded to the Dreyfus Committee report by accepting some but not all its recommendations. And indicating at the time it would go a tad further than the committee recommended.
(Update: Chris Merritt in The Australian reports (paywall) it fails Andrew Wilkie's "Kessing test"
Whistleblower bill risks new fight;
Wilkie was right:whistleblower bill comes up short)
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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