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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

WA review of FOI processes

The Western Australian Information Commissioner is conducting a review into the manner in which Western Australian State and local government agencies administer the freedom of information (FOI) process. Submissions closed on 30 April and the review is expected to be completed by August 2010. Presumably submissions will be published although there is nothing to indicate one way or the other.(Correction thanks to a reader. The website states- "All submissions received will be treated confidentially and not attributed to individuals or organisations." Just why this is the default position you have to wonder. ) The Australian today reports the WA branch of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance( obviously happy to let others know what they think) has criticised the "limited scope" of the review's terms of reference to examine administration of the FOI Act, but not the content of the legislation. "The system was too slow and costly and government agencies lacked a culture of active disclosure, the union argued..", calling for a quantum leap out of the dark ages and the adoption of the Queensland Right to Information model.




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