FOI news

Public holidays can affect an agency’s ability to process freedom of information requests within statutory timeframes, particularly the period of time between Christmas and the New Year when most Australian Government agencies shut down operations.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has released an updated version of thirteen Parts of the Freedom of information guidelines (FOI guidelines) issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under s 93A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). The FOI Act requires Australian Government ministers and agencies to have regard to these guidelines when performing a function or exercising a power under the FOI Act.

Statement by the OAIC on how it will deal with IC reviews and FOI complaints until 31 December 2014.

Statement: How the OAIC will deal with IC reviews and FOI complaints until 31 December 2014

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has published freedom of information (FOI) statistics from 2012–13 in an open data format for the first time.

The statistics track the number of FOI requests to agencies and ministers, the outcome of those requests, compliance with timeframes, use of exemptions and charges and estimated FOI costs and staff time. The statistics also include data from the 2011–12 financial year and an overview of FOI request numbers, charges and costs since 1982, when the Freedom of Information Act commenced.