The Freedom of Information Amendment (New Arrangements)
Bill 2014 (New Arrangements Bill) has been introduced into
Parliament. If passed, it will abolish the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (OAIC) from 1 January 2015.
Functions currently performed by the OAIC will be abolished or
shifted to other areas of government. Commonwealth Government
agencies should prepare for a renewed emphasis on internal review
of FOI decisions. However, guidance developed by the OAIC on the
operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
(FOI Act) will remain important.
The establishment of the OAIC was one of a number of significant
reforms to freedom of information laws at the Commonwealth level in
2010. The positions of the Australian Information Commissioner and
Freedom of Information Commissioner were established to assist
agencies with the implementation of changes to the FOI Act, and,
joined by the Privacy Commissioner, to help integrate
