Page 2141 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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The territory’s Freedom of Information Act enshrines this fundamental human right by creating a framework for public access to information about government. It is through the FOI Act that members of the community can expect to receive information in a timely and efficient manner. The government consistently works to improve both the operation of the legislation and the administration procedures that underpin it to ensure that the act achieves its objectives.
In July last year, a new fee determination was created to simplify the charges applicable to FOI requests. As a result, the ACT’s fees and charges regime leads the nation in promoting access to information at minimal cost. For example, no fees are payable in relation to requests for personal information. Neither are fees payable for requests that seek information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family links. All applicants for information receive a generous 10 hours of processing time and 200 pages of copy free of charge. The government’s efforts to minimise expenses contribute to a responsive and effective FOI regime and display our commitment to open and transparent government.
To ensure timely access to information, internal procedures for processing requests have also been strengthened. In the last year, the Justice and Community Safety Directorate has offered assistance to other directorates in the form of general advice on the processing of requests. These efforts include creating guidelines to assist decision makers in deciding whether to waive fees on public interest grounds. These guidelines are publicly available.
A key feature of the government’s FOI program is the continuous improvement of the legislation. In support of this, and as Ms Hunter has acknowledged, the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety has completed its inquiry on the operation of the act. Its report makes a number of important recommendations for reforming the act. The government is currently considering its response to the standing committee’s inquiry report.
The government is committed to adopting best practice. The government will continue to examine all of the available options to identify reforms that improve the public’s right to access information. The government’s commitment to improving the process of the FOI function is a central component of an open and transparent administration.
Of course, our commitment to open, honest and accountable government does not simply extend to the FOI Act. The government operates in a range of areas to provide information and improve Assembly and broader public understanding of issues under government consideration. For example, this year’s budget process resulted in approximately 894 questions on notice, which have included in many instances many subparts. Just in the current term of this government, the government has answered a total of 1,639 questions on notice in the Assembly.
The government already has a strong performance and accountability framework. This framework was originally developed to assist in the delivery of government priorities and contribute to genuine and sustainable improvements to the wellbeing of Canberrans.
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