Page 2140 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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encourage everyone to read the committee’s report. I look forward to the government’s response to the issues raised in that important committee report.
The government can do more to be more open and transparent. There is no question about that. I think what this discussion has shown is that there are a range of issues that need to be addressed to this end. This covers a range of legislation. With the Public Interest Disclosure Act, I understand the government is working on some reforms to this, and I would be very interested to hear if in fact that is the case and, if it is being looked at, where that work is up to and when that work is expected to be completed.
Of course, this issue goes far beyond public interest disclosure and FOI, and I think it is something that we should be mindful of when we approach all legislative proposals. But, as I say, I am very proud of the Greens’ track record here in the Assembly on ensuring that there is greater openness and transparency in government. We agree that it is very important. We do want to see those recommendations, for instance, from the FOI inquiry, from that report, taken up.
There should be a push model in this day and age. It should be that information is made available to the public unless, as I said, there is a very clear and compelling reason why it should remain secret. It is not like the old days. These days we do have the technology. We can put reports quite easily and quickly up onto websites.
It is always important that governments continue to look at their practice and the way they do business. I know, for instance, that in the Welsh parliament the cabinet papers are put up onto a website not long after those meetings are held. I raised this issue with the former Chief Minister—whether greater transparency with cabinet processes could be looked at—and I look forward to the current Chief Minister responding to that issue.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Minister for Territory and Municipal Services and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (5.25): As the Chief Minister has indicated, the government welcomes discussion on this issue today. The Chief Minister has indicated a very important direction for her administration with the development of a new, responsive approach to issues around the provision of government information and engaging the community in decision making. Today I would like to discuss some of the current policies and practices which demonstrate the ACT government’s commitment to openness, transparency and continual improvement, as well as highlight the openness and transparency of the government and its commitment to well-informed decision making.
The government believes that access to information is a fundamental element of democracy. Individual participation in the community, community participation in government and government accountability to the community all depend on an informed public. In the ACT, the Human Rights Act acknowledges the importance of information. Section 16 of the act recognises that all members of the community enjoy “the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of borders, whether orally, in writing or in print, by way of art, or in another way chosen by him or her”.
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