Media Release

Senator John Faulkner

16/2009
12 May 2009

Budget Measures: Promoting Integrity and Accountability

Office of the Information Commissioner

The establishment of the Office of the Information Commissioner is a key element of the Government’s Freedom of Information (‘FOI’) reforms. 

The Government will provide $20.5 million over four years to establish and run the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The Office will be a new statutory agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio, supporting two new independent statutory office holders - the Information Commissioner and the Freedom of Information Commissioner. The Privacy Commissioner will also be incorporated in the new Office, bringing the functions of information privacy protection and FOI together in the new agency. 

The Information Commissioner will head the new agency.

The Information Commissioner and FOI Commissioner will be responsible for promoting a culture of disclosure in Government agencies.

The Information Commissioner will also be responsible for advising the Government on broader information management issues with a view to ensuring a more coordinated development of government information policy. 

The FOI Commissioner will be responsible for FOI functions, which include reviewing FOI decisions and overseeing the new Information Publication Scheme. 

The co-location of FOI and privacy regulation in the new structure will strengthen both FOI and privacy laws. 

The Government released exposure draft legislation to establish the Office of the Information Commissioner and to reform the FOI Act on 24 March 2009.  Details of the draft Bills are available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.  Following the consultation process legislation will be introduced later this year.

It is proposed that the Office of the Information Commissioner will commence operations in early 2010.

Additional Funding for Other Integrity Agencies

• Additional funding of $20.1 million over four years will boost the capability of the Australian National Audit Office. This additional funding ensures the Office has the capacity to address the increasing scale and complexity of Australian public sector auditing.

• The Budget provides a further $3.3 million over four years for the Commonwealth Ombudsman to continue their role in providing independent oversight of the Northern Territory Emergency Response and government service delivery to Indigenous communities in the NT. 

Commitment to Integrity

The 2009 Budget delivered by the Rudd Government has provided extra funding of more than $44 million over four years to enhance Government integrity agencies. This recognises the importance of integrity and accountability in government, and strengthens the agencies charged with responsibilities in these areas.

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Media Contact:	Website:
Media Adviser - Colin Campbell - 0407 787 181	www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au

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Last Updated: 9 June, 2009