THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management
Special Minister of State
Minister for the Public Service and Integrity
MEDIA RELEASE
REPORT INTO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMPLETED
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC has today received a report on freedom of information laws by eminent former senior public servant and diplomat Dr Allan Hawke AC.
Dr Hawke's report reviews the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 and the extent to which those laws, and related laws, provide an effective framework for access to government information.
"I am pleased to receive Dr Hawke's report and I thank him for all the work he has undertaken during the course of his review," Mr Dreyfus said.
"I will be giving Dr Hawke's report close consideration and will release it publicly once I have had an opportunity to consider the issues it raises."
The review provided an opportunity to assess the impact of the Government's Freedom of Information reforms, which aimed to promote a pro-disclosure culture across the Government and build a stronger foundation for more openness in government.
The review was mandated by legislation to begin in November 2012, two years after the commencement of the FOI reforms, to allow enough time to assess the effectiveness of the reforms, including the structural changes to the FOI system.
Dr Hawke was asked to consult on aspects of Freedom of Information such as:
- the effectiveness of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- the appropriateness of existing FOI exemptions
- the role of fees and charges, and
- minimising regulatory burdens and the cost of FOI.
Eighty-one submissions were made to the review.
The legislation establishing the review requires the report to be tabled within 15 sitting days after it has been received by the Attorney-General.
MONDAY, 1 JULY 2013
