Victorian FOI Commissioner

Career (Canadian and Victorian) public servant Lynne Bertolini has been appointed Victoria’s first Freedom of Information Commissioner. Until recently she was director of licensing and approvals at the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation. Download PDF166.33 KB The new review scheme- which involves abolition of internal agency review of determinations-commences on 1 December. Helter - skelter time!. Good luck.

(Update: Ouch. Jon Faine on 774 ABC Melbourne may have been a bit tough in lumbering the new commissioner with the FOI record of her former employer the Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation during this interview this morning. But it wasn't a dream start.

 "I'm not here to talk about specific cases today," Ms Bertolini responds. "I understand there are a number of issues that people have raised with FOI across the public service in general - I intend to ensure there is a proper education program, and people work within the spirit of the legislation." Jon points out her department breached the FOI act, and now she's in charge of it. "It just shows that we have a lot of work to do," Ms Bertolini says.

The office will be open for business on Monday 3 December. All the best.