50/2009
26 November 2009
The Rudd Government today introduced the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009 and the Information Commissioner Bill 2009 into Parliament.
The Bills deliver on the Rudd Labor Government’s election promise to restore trust and integrity in the handling of government information.
“Since coming to office, this Government has committed to driving a cultural shift across the bureaucracy to promote a pro-disclosure attitude,” Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig said.
“These Bills will deliver more effective and efficient access to government information, by providing a new framework which will encourage the pro-active publication of government information.”
The purpose of the Information Commissioner Bill 2009 is to establish the Office of the Information Commissioner that will have oversight for both privacy protection and access to government information.
“The co-location of privacy and FOI policy will provide for national consistency across Australia’s information laws,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The Information Commissioner will ensure a constant voice that is conducive to the presumption of openness in government.”
“These are the most significant reforms to the handling of government information since the FOI Act was enacted in 1982.”
A number of amendments have been made to the Bills, since the Government consulted the public on the exposure draft legislation. A detailed list of changes can be found at www.pmc.gov.au.
| Media Contact: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Sarah Cosson - 0423 823 843 or (02) 6277 7600 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |