ARTICLE · 12 FEBRUARY 2008

FOI Decision – Disclosure To The World At Large

Maddocks

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The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2007 (Bill) was introduced and had its first Reading Speech on 20 November 2007. FOI officers will need to be aware of the changes proposed by the Bill, and monitor its progress through Parliament.

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector

Melanie Olynyk

FOI AMENDMENT BILL 2007

The Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2007 (Bill) was introduced and had its first Reading Speech on 20 November 2007. FOI officers will need to be aware of the changes proposed by the Bill, and monitor its progress through Parliament. The key features of the Bill are summarised below, and include the abolition of the application fee, the introduction of new consultation processes and new 'vexatious applicants' provisions.

Objectives

The Bill implements a number of recommendations made by the Ombudsman (in his report 'Review of the Freedom of Information Act' tabled in Parliament on 1 June 2006). It also modernises the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) by encouraging agencies to publish more information on the internet.

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