Published Tuesday, 10 June, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier welcomes independent FOI Report
Premier Anna Bligh today welcomed the report “The Right to Information: Reviewing Queensland’s Freedom of Information Act’ which proposes a fundamental shift in Queensland’s 15 year old FOI legislation.
“Days after I became Premier I asked Dr David Solomon to investigate our current FOI system and report on changes which could give the community greater access to information.
“I set Dr Solomon and the panel a challenge to think outside the box and they have risen to that challenge,” the Premier said.
“At 400 pages, with 141 recommendations, this report proposes a sweeping and bold reform of FOI.
“The most fundamental shift is a recommendation that any new laws should ‘push’ information into the public eye rather than waiting for people or organisations to use the law to ‘pull’ information from government and other organisations.
“I support the general thrust of the report and will work to ensure that Queensland will have a more transparent, open and accountable system of government as a result of the work by the Independent Review Panel.
“Cabinet this morning resolved to have a detailed response to the report’s recommendations within 8 weeks.
“Building a new architecture and framework for our State’s information laws will take time and a serious change in the processes and culture of government and organisations which interact with the public sector.
“I want the community to be able to consider and comment upon an exposure bill of the new laws before the end of 2008, with legislation to be debated in the Parliament in the first half of 2009.
“Modernising our FOI laws, including a reassessment of existing Cabinet exemptions, is a major undertaking and will require substantial changes and adjustments right across the public sector.
“There will also be challenges in meeting the obligations the new laws will place on consultants, contractors and service providers.
“This is a bold and comprehensive reform of one of the most important pieces of legislation in our State and we will begin making those changes as quickly as possible.”
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
“Days after I became Premier I asked Dr David Solomon to investigate our current FOI system and report on changes which could give the community greater access to information.
“I set Dr Solomon and the panel a challenge to think outside the box and they have risen to that challenge,” the Premier said.
“At 400 pages, with 141 recommendations, this report proposes a sweeping and bold reform of FOI.
“The most fundamental shift is a recommendation that any new laws should ‘push’ information into the public eye rather than waiting for people or organisations to use the law to ‘pull’ information from government and other organisations.
“I support the general thrust of the report and will work to ensure that Queensland will have a more transparent, open and accountable system of government as a result of the work by the Independent Review Panel.
“Cabinet this morning resolved to have a detailed response to the report’s recommendations within 8 weeks.
“Building a new architecture and framework for our State’s information laws will take time and a serious change in the processes and culture of government and organisations which interact with the public sector.
“I want the community to be able to consider and comment upon an exposure bill of the new laws before the end of 2008, with legislation to be debated in the Parliament in the first half of 2009.
“Modernising our FOI laws, including a reassessment of existing Cabinet exemptions, is a major undertaking and will require substantial changes and adjustments right across the public sector.
“There will also be challenges in meeting the obligations the new laws will place on consultants, contractors and service providers.
“This is a bold and comprehensive reform of one of the most important pieces of legislation in our State and we will begin making those changes as quickly as possible.”
Tuesday June 10, 2008
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500