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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 9 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 2755 ..

Freedom of information requests

(Question No 231 redirected to Attorney-General)

Mrs Dunne asked the Chief Minister, upon notice, on 27 June 2002:

(1) In 2001/2002 for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, what is the (a) total number, and, (b) the month by month breakdown and, (c) the breakdown among agencies month by month, received across Government.

(2) In 2000/2001, what was the total number of requests.

(3) Are all agencies complying with their FOI obligations

Mr Stanhope: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

(1) (a) The total number of requests received across government in 2001/2002 was 320. In addition a total of 19 internal review requests and one section 48 application for amendment of records were lodged.

(b) The month by month breakdown of requests is outlined in the attached table

(c) The attached table also outlines the breakdown among agencies month by month.

(2) The total number of requests received during 2000/2001 as reported in the Justice and Community Safety 2000-2001 Annual Report was 247. 16 requests for internal review and one application for amendment to personal records were also received during this period.

(3) Agencies are complying with their FOI obligations in meeting requests. Auditor-General's Report Number 12 of 2001 identified certain deficiencies in responding to requests and made several recommendations in relation to improving the FOI process within government. Each recommendation is currently being considered and a Government response is being prepared. It should be noted that there has been a significant change in approach since the period investigated by the Auditor-General. The government is however committed to reforming the FOI process and is implementing a range of reforms and improved administrative procedures to ensure all agencies comply with their obligations in meeting requests.

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