Elizabeth Tydd to lead Office of the Australian Information Commissioner Federal Long-time transparency advocate Elizabeth Tydd will likely be a less controversial information commissioner than her predecessor.
Access to information: The $100m question May 6, 2024 By Bodie D’Orazio 2024 Digital ID and Privacy Special Report The Commonwealth’s freedom of information regime has been described as a dysfunctional, broken mess. But there are ways to repair it.
Parliamentary Services should be subject to FOI, says Rex May 2, 2024 By Tom Ravlic Federal Rex Patrick says the powerful parliamentary department’s administration functions should be under the FOI laws.
Defence drops 10-page UFO dossier April 8, 2024 By Dan Holmes Defence The dossier includes 17 defence communications about UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) created between July and October 2023.
Legal win in sports rorts FOI saga sends a warning to public servants March 22, 2024 By Melissa Coade Federal Rex Patrick’s court victory confirms an implied obligation under the FOI Act for public servants to avoid frustrating access to documents.
Premium Columnists FoI Act demands putting accountability in writing February 28, 2024 By Andrew Podger Editors' Picks There is a deeply embedded culture in the APS, particularly at senior levels, of antagonism toward the transparency required by the FoI Act.
Premium Columnists Australia’s FOI regime shrouded in impenetrable secrecy October 24, 2023 By Binoy Kampmark Communications & Technology Efficiency and openness do not describe Australia’s FOI regime. Information rationing and control are more like it.
Falk given three weeks to respond to former FoI commissioner’s allegations August 30, 2023 By Tom Ravlic Economy & Industry OAIC boss Angelene Falk has until September 22 to answer questions raised by Leo Hardiman during a senate committee hearing yesterday.
Premium Insights and analysis How rushed decisions can be public enemy number one in public administration August 29, 2023 By Melissa Coade Editors' Picks Here’s what mandarins have to do to improve outcomes for the community if they are serious about public service.
Margaret Crawford’s take on never-ending story of ‘fundamental failings’ in public administration August 24, 2023 By Melissa Coade Culture The NSW auditor-general reflects on Australia’s string of royal commissions, special investigations, reviews and audits.
Robodebt FOI cabinet documents case reaches Federal Court August 18, 2023 By Anna Macdonald Community & Social A legal case over the release of robodebt cabinet documents has reached the Federal Court, with a case to be heard on Friday in Victoria.
Premium Insights and analysis Secretary’s parting views on FOI, government transparency and accountability August 15, 2023 By Melissa Coade Federal A final word from Andrew Metcalfe before we let him retire to the quiet life of a “poor gentleman farmer”.
Premium Insights and analysis ‘As a veteran my PTSD has been triggered’: War Memorial’s Ben Roberts-Smith fallout July 20, 2023 By Cam Wilson Editors' Picks Emails obtained in an FOI request show how the Australian War Memorial braced for a backlash for keeping Ben Roberts-Smith’s display up.
Jane Halton links ‘chilling’ effect of FOI to robodebt’s frank and fearless advice epic fail July 11, 2023 By Julian Bajkowski Community & Social Candour is a lost art, laments former finance secretary Jane Halton. If everything is on record, people say far less.
Public health leadership when anti-vaxxers are not in the mood for evidence, spurred by suspicion and fear July 6, 2023 By Melissa Coade Federal Brendan Murphy says upholding important principles of democracy left the door open for conspiracy theorists to take things to the Nth degree.
