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Friday, April 28, 2006

FOI in the News

Media reports based on FOI applications over the last week include:

The Advertiser, 24 April: The Rann Government spent $2 million on advertising in the lead-up to the SA election in March including $49,500 on publishing and recording rights for the Ben Lee song “We’re in this together”.

The Australian, 26 April: Promised Federal Government funding for the proposed private initiative to develop a space port on Christmas Island was withdrawn after the Asia Pacific Space Centre failed to meet every key condition and milestone including its first launch by the end of 2003.

The Age, 28 April: The Victorian Ombudsman’s investigation into a complaint from an Opposition MP has revealed that the Department of Human Services obstructed the release of information concerning ministerial media opportunities. The Age says that the FOI unit took instructions from the Department’s media unit while processing the application.

I know I’m running a risk of being seen as “Crookwell centric” but the Crookwell Gazette has followed up its earlier report about the dire consequences of the Upper Lachlan Shire Council having to deal with FOI applications. In this report the Friends of Crookwell comment that the Council claims are absurd. They also have views about the need for greater openness and transparency in Council operations.

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