Thursday, December 04, 2008

Slow steps towards openness | The Australian

Slow steps towards openness


 


 

Sean Parnell, FOI editor | December 05, 2008

Article from: 

The Australian


 

QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh's long-promised improvements to government transparency have edged forward with the release of draft legislation and two new websites, but further progress under the new Right to Information regime is likely to be slow.

Making good her promise to overhaul the flawed freedom of information system, Ms Bligh declared yesterday she would see through the changes cabinet initiated in its first meeting after former premier Peter Beattie retired. "With the release of this material today, we take one step closer to becoming the most transparent and open government in Australia," the Premier said.

She added that she hoped to have the new regime operational by July next year but submissions on the new Right to Information and Information Privacy bills are not due until March 31. With speculation high that Queenslanders will go to the polls before then, transparency may well become an election issue.


 

FULL ARTICLE:<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24752659-2702,00.html>