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New FOI laws for NSW delayed
Friday 19 March 2010
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today criticised the failure of the NSW government for its delay in: commencing new freedom of information laws passed in June 2009, appointing a permanent Information Commissioner and educating the public about the new laws.
"Yesterday in Question Time I was told by the Attorney General that the commencement of the legislation and appointment of a Commissioner would occur 'soon', but the government is clearly dragging its heels," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Today the Attorney General tabled two related reports from the NSW Law Reform Commission, but offered no starting date for the FOI regime.
"The Government Information (Public Access) Act was slated to begin in early 2010. Now the Information Commissioner's site says it will commence 'in the near future'.
"A permanent Information Commissioner was promised for November 2009, but we still have an acting one, despite an extensive selection process.
"Since Nathan Rees' departure as Premier there has been not a word from Kristina Keneally on this important area of government accountability, with the public left to use the shoddy old laws.
"This legislation is too important to sit idle. It was to be the sign of the NSW government entering a new era of openness, but change has stalled.
"The new FOI laws require the proactive publications by government agencies of information on the web.
"Without these new laws the lights will be continue to be kept dimmed on the operation of government," Ms Rhiannon said.
The two NSW Law Reform Commission reports tabled today are:
§ Report 125 The Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners (dated December 2009)
§ Report 126 Access to Personal Information (February 2010)
For more information: 0427 861 568
LRC reports are now on the website
