Freedom of Information
This section outlines the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s responsibilities for FOI policy and management of the FOI Act across the Australian Government.
The Commonwealth’s FOI Act applies only to the federal public sector. Information about FOI regimes applying to the public sectors of states and territories can be found on their respective websites listed below.
The Commonwealth’s FOI legislation is administered by the Privacy & FOI Policy Branch of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Prior to December 2007 this legislation was administered by the Information Law Branch of the Attorney-General’s Department.
FOI Reform
On 22 July 2008 the then Cabinet Secretary and Special Minister of State, Senator the Hon John Faulkner, announced the Government’s intention to reform the FOI Act. Further information is available from the FOI Reform page and Cabinet Secretary’s website.
Report on Information and E-Governance in the Australian Government
In February 2009, Dr Ian Reinecke, Principal, Strategies and Solutions Group was engaged by PM&C to provide specialist advice and report on information management issues, including information policy and e-governance. The Report on Information Policy and E-Governance in the Australian Government is now available.
State Websites
- QLD - Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- QLD - Office of the Information Commissioner
- WA - Office of the Information Commissioner
- NSW - Office of the Information Commissioner
- VIC - Department of Justice
- SA - State Records of South Australia
- TAS - Ombudsman Tasmania
- ACT - Chief Minister's Department
- ACT - Department of Justice and Community Safety
- NT - Office of the Information Commissioner (Northern Territory)