Anna Bligh shields her cabinet in revamp of FOI laws | The Australian

Anna Bligh shields her cabinet in revamp of FOI laws

 

 

Sean Parnell, FOI editor | August 21, 2008

 

QUEENSLAND'S much-criticised Freedom of Information act is likely to be overhauled by the middle of next year but the state Government remains highly protective of its cabinet documents.

Formally responding to recommendations from an independent review of the FOI act, Premier Anna Bligh yesterday promised Queensland would have "the most open and accountable government in Australia".

The head of the review, former barrister and journalist David Solomon, had called on the Government to proactively release more information, moving from a "pull" to a "push" distribution model.

Such a shift would make FOI almost an avenue of last resort, but reforms to the act would give it broader reach, fewer exemptions and clearer guidelines, with personal matters handled under a separate privacy act and with a privacy commissioner.

Full article: <http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24215663-5006786,00.html>