1
Short title [see Note 1]
1 Short title [see Note 1]
This Act may be cited as the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010.
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Commonwealth act
This Act overhauls Australia’s FOI regime so federal agencies and Ministers must publish much more information proactively and give people clearer rights to access documents. It introduces conditional exemptions judged by a public‑interest test, requires FOI-released documents be published online, narrows Cabinet protections, speeds archival release (generally 20 years), and establishes an independent Australian Information Commissioner to review decisions and ensure compliance. It affects every Australian seeking to know how government decisions are made.
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Direct links to the current provisions in Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010.
This Act may be cited as the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010.
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:355.55pt; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:344.85pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Commencement information</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 2</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 3</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Provision(s)</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Commencement</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Date/Details</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1.</span><span> </span><span>Sections</span><span> </span><span>1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>31 May 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day after the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>commences.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 May 2011</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>4.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, items</span><span> </span><span>1 to 14</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, item</span><span> </span><span>15</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day after the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>commences.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 May 2011</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, items</span><span> </span><span>16 to 40</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7.</span><span> </span><span>Schedules</span><span> </span><span>4 to 7</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
Scope (1) This section applies if a Minister, or an officer of an agency, has the power to publish, or give access to, information or a document (including an exempt document) apart from under this Act. Publication and access powers not limited (2) The Parliament does not intend, by this Act, to limit that power, or to prevent or discourage the exercise of that power: (a) in the case of the power to publish the information or document—despite any restriction on the publication of the information or document under this Act; and (b) in the case of the power to give access to the information or document—whether or not access to the information or document has been requested under section 15.
2 Section 14
Repeal the section.
Schedule 2—Publication of information
Freedom of Information Act 1982
1 Subsection 4(1)
Insert:
operational information has the meaning given by section 8A.
2 Subsection 4(9)
Omit “of this Act (other than sections 8 and 93)”.
3 Part II
Repeal the Part, substitute:
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
This Act may be cited as the Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Act 2010.
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:355.55pt; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:344.85pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Commencement information</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 2</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 3</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Provision(s)</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Commencement</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Date/Details</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1.</span><span> </span><span>Sections</span><span> </span><span>1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>31 May 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day after the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>commences.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 May 2011</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>4.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, items</span><span> </span><span>1 to 14</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>5.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, item</span><span> </span><span>15</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>The day after the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the day section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 </span><span>commences.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 May 2011</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>6.</span><span> </span><span>Schedule</span><span> </span><span>3, items</span><span> </span><span>16 to 40</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:74.35pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>7.</span><span> </span><span>Schedules</span><span> </span><span>4 to 7</span></p></td><td style="width:180.7pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Immediately after the commencement of section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span>.</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>However, if section</span><span> </span><span>3 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010</span><span> does not commence, the provision(s) do not commence at all.</span></p></td><td style="width:68.4pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.35pt; padding-left:5.35pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1 November 2010</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.
(2) Column 3 of the table contains additional information that is not part of this Act. Information in this column may be added to or edited in any published version of this Act.
Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.
(1) The objects of this Act are to give the Australian community access to information held by the Government of the Commonwealth, by: (a) requiring agencies to publish the information; and (b) providing for a right of access to documents. (2) The Parliament intends, by these objects, to promote Australia’s representative democracy by contributing towards the following: (a) increasing public participation in Government processes, with a view to promoting better‑informed decision‑making; (b) increasing scrutiny, discussion, comment and review of the Government’s activities. (3) The Parliament also intends, by these objects, to increase recognition that information held by the Government is to be managed for public purposes, and is a national resource. (4) The Parliament also intends that functions and powers given by this Act are to be performed and exercised, as far as possible, to facilitate and promote public access to information, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost.
Scope (1) This section applies if a Minister, or an officer of an agency, has the power to publish, or give access to, information or a document (including an exempt document) apart from under this Act. Publication and access powers not limited (2) The Parliament does not intend, by this Act, to limit that power, or to prevent or discourage the exercise of that power: (a) in the case of the power to publish the information or document—despite any restriction on the publication of the information or document under this Act; and (b) in the case of the power to give access to the information or document—whether or not access to the information or document has been requested under section 15.
2 Section 14
Repeal the section.
Schedule 2—Publication of information
Freedom of Information Act 1982
1 Subsection 4(1)
Insert:
operational information has the meaning given by section 8A.
2 Subsection 4(9)
Omit “of this Act (other than sections 8 and 93)”.
3 Part II
Repeal the Part, substitute:
Schedule 1—Objects
Freedom of Information Act 1982
1 Section 3
Repeal the section, substitute:
(1) The objects of this Act are to give the Australian community access to information held by the Government of the Commonwealth, by: (a) requiring agencies to publish the information; and (b) providing for a right of access to documents. (2) The Parliament intends, by these objects, to promote Australia’s representative democracy by contributing towards the following: (a) increasing public participation in Government processes, with a view to promoting better‑informed decision‑making; (b) increasing scrutiny, discussion, comment and review of the Government’s activities. (3) The Parliament also intends, by these objects, to increase recognition that information held by the Government is to be managed for public purposes, and is a national resource. (4) The Parliament also intends that functions and powers given by this Act are to be performed and exercised, as far as possible, to facilitate and promote public access to information, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost.
Scope (1) This section applies if a Minister, or an officer of an agency, has the power to publish, or give access to, information or a document (including an exempt document) apart from under this Act. Publication and access powers not limited (2) The Parliament does not intend, by this Act, to limit that power, or to prevent or discourage the exercise of that power: (a) in the case of the power to publish the information or document—despite any restriction on the publication of the information or document under this Act; and (b) in the case of the power to give access to the information or document—whether or not access to the information or document has been requested under section 15.
2 Section 14
Repeal the section.
Schedule 2—Publication of information
Freedom of Information Act 1982
1 Subsection 4(1)
Insert:
operational information has the meaning given by section 8A.
2 Subsection 4(9)
Omit “of this Act (other than sections 8 and 93)”.
3 Part II
Repeal the Part, substitute:
This Part establishes an information publication scheme for agencies.
Each agency must publish a plan showing how it proposes to implement this Part.
An agency must publish a range of information including information about what the agency does and the way it does it, as well as information dealt with or used in the course of its operations, some of which is called operational information.
In addition, an agency may publish other inf
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