Australian Information Commissioner, Professor John McMillan, said the FOI Act has been the legislative anchor for open government in Australia for thirty years.
‘Freedom of information strengthens democracy and improves government. It allows the public to play a stronger role in discussing, reviewing and scrutinising government actions,’ Professor McMillan said.
‘At tomorrow’s celebration, a number of leading practitioners will come together to share their thoughts on the history, development, and importance of the FOI Act,’ he added.
Australia was one of the first countries to enact an FOI Act in 1982, and over 90 countries have now taken that same step. Close to one million FOI requests have been made in Australia under the Act in the last 30 years.
Professor McMillan said the progress of open government over the past 30 years in Australia, and over the past couple of years in particular, has been an enormous success story. Recent legislative reforms, coupled with a range of new information policy initiatives, have made it easier for people to gain access to information held by Australian government agencies.
‘Public access to government information is not only a right, but can also enhance participatory democracy by assisting the public to better understand how government makes decisions and administers programs,’ Professor McMillan said.
‘I strongly believe that transparent government is better government. Thanks to the sweeping reforms enacted in the past few years, a cultural change is taking place within government agencies. Public sector information is now regarded as a national resource that must be shared and made available for public purposes.’
The Government has announced that Dr Allan Hawke will conduct a review of the FOI Act and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010. The review is expected to be completed by April 2013.
Event program: http://www.oaic.gov.au/news/events/2012_anniversary_program.html
Videos to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the FOI Act: www.youtube.com/OAICgov
Media welcome to attend this event.
Media contact: Ms Leila Daniels – 0407 663 968 or media@oaic.gov.au
