Page 1065 - Week 06 - Thursday, 27 July 1989
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the ACT Labor Government to continue to follow this path? If so, has any progress been made to this point? If no progress has been made, what is the target for fully commercialising the operations of that authority?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Kaine for the question. It is a matter on which I believe I would need to take some expert advice and so I will undertake to get some further information for Mr Kaine. But I think, in general terms, it is correct to say that this Government is anxious to protect our public sector industries such as the electricity and water supply. We are fairly happy with the way it has been operating and will not be taking any steps to change its methods of operation in the short term. But, as I say, I would wish to take more detailed advice on the matter.
Freedom of Information
MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Chief Minister. Should the FOI processing fee and charges be remitted on the ground of public interest in respect of requests lodged by members?
MS FOLLETT: I thank Mr Wood for the question. It is a matter that has been raised in passing on a couple of occasions, by members of the Residents Rally party in particular, and so I think it is a matter that perhaps would benefit from some clearing of the air. Mr Speaker, I would like to advise that requests for access to documents which are generated by the ACT Government and the ACT government service will attract charges which have been established under the freedom of information legislation.
Now, there are provisions where charges can be remitted, either in whole or in part, if the applicant is able to substantiate a claim for remittance. It is the Government's policy that Assembly members, like any other members of the public and of the community, have the onus upon them to demonstrate a clear case for remittance of those charges. Even where such a case is substantiated, there is still an area of discretion for the decision maker in the case to refuse permission after taking into account all the circumstances of the case.
In establishing this policy, we did give consideration to the fact that Assembly members, of course, have several other avenues of information available to them - for example, question time such as this. The use of questions on notice is another area where they can obtain information. Documents are tabled in the house. Also, they can of course make use of the Assembly's committee system to obtain information.
Mr Speaker, it is my belief that the members of this Assembly should be subject to the law in the same way as
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