M1998-30 Freedom of Information – Publication Requirements
superseded by M2007-11
Issued: 5 July 2006 by Department of Premier and Cabinet
This AR is archived. No replacements were suggested by the author.
Key information
- Status
- Archived
- Type
- Premier's Memorandum
- Identifier
- M1998-30
- Compliance
- Not mandatory
About
The Freedom of Information Act is premised upon an ethic of open government. One of its primary objects is to extend as far as possible the right of the public to information concerning the operations of Government.
Means by which this is achieved are through agencies' Statement of Affairs, published annually by agencies either through their Annual Report or in a separate document, and agencies' Summary of Affairs, published biannually in the Government Gazette.
The Statement of Affairs describes the structure and function of an agency, how the agency impacts upon the public, how the public may participate in the policy formulations of the agency, a description of the types of documents held by an agency and a description of the arrangements and procedures which enable a member of the public to obtain access to an agency's documents.
The Summary of Affairs identifies each of the agency's policy documents and specifies contact persons through which access can be arranged.
Section 14(1) of the Freedom of Information Act expressly states that Ministers have a responsibility to ensure agencies within their portfolios comply with the publication requirements.
Ministers are reminded of this responsibility and should ensure these requirements are met.
Bob Carr
Premier
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superseded by M2007-11