Rudd falls flat over FOI

 
 

Rudd falls flat over FOI

By Kelvin Bissett

January 01, 2008 12:00am

 
 

 
 

SAD but true - opposition promises about freedom of information (FOI) reform are worthless after an election.

In a campaign speech, then Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd railed against the "culture of secrecy" that existed under the Howard Government. One month later, his Government has already stumbled in its commitment to open government.

A request by The Daily Telegraph for access to briefing documents prepared for Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard was met with a hefty $4321 bill.

Principal government lawyer Margaret Tregurtha claimed the figure included "decision-making time" of 210 hours.

This is the equivalent of 5½ weeks work for a single public servant to muse about whether to release the document. It's a sham. Photocopying will cost just $86.

These ministerial briefing notes, produced by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, are likely to be of public interest.

They can be expected to include the department's views on matters including the controversial Work Choices laws, the effectiveness of the fairness test and private school funding arrangements.

Such huge costs place the use of the laws outside the affordability of media outlets as well as private citizens.

An appeal will be lodged but by the time the matter is determined public interest in the documents may have diminished.

The Government already appears to be getting cosy with this same culture of secrecy Mr Rudd so accurately described on November 21.

 
 

Inserted from <http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22991220-5001031,00.html>