Government FOI reforms blocked

Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, and Attorney General, Simon Corbell, have today expressed disappointment at the refusal of the Liberal Party and the Greens to debate FOI laws that would further open up the work of Government to the community.

"The bill that was listed to be debated today contains key reforms to the Territory's Freedom of Information Act and is clear evidence of a commitment to transparency and open government,"
the Chief Minister said.

"It is disappointing that the other parties in the Assembly, who claim to hold the Government to account, have blocked debate on this important legislation today."

Mr Corbell said that the Freedom of Information Act1989 gives partial effect to the Government's Response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety's Inquiry into FOI reform.

"The ACT Labor Government is acting swiftly to implement the Government's policies and objectives on transparency and openness," Mr Corbell said.

The amendments progress six main areas of reform:

• There will be a requirement to publish on the internet documents provided under the FOI Act.
• The FOI Act adopts the key features of the new Commonwealth FOI Act.
• The objects clause of the Act will clearly state that government held information is a public resource.
• The Act will clearly distinguish between exempt documents and conditionally exempt documents.
• There will be a single public interest test that applies to conditionally exempt documents.
• Finally, the Bill revokes those conclusive certificates issued prior to the 2009 abolition of most powers to issue such certificates.

"This legislation will give members of the general ACT community access to documents released under FOI in a timely manner by having documents posted online shortly after their release to the requested,"

Mr Corbell said.

"The Government calls on the Opposition and the Greens to put the best interests of the community before politics and support this important legislation in a timely manner."

The Government's response to the Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety's report on the FOI Act was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in August this year. The Government's response agreed in full to 11 of the recommendations of the Standing Committee, and agreed in part to one recommendation.