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www.brunswicklabor.net is a website/blog devoted to the dissemination of news about Labor in Brunswick, Carlo Carli MP and progressive/radical ideas.www.carlocarli.net is authorised by Christopher Anderson, 3/58 Heller Cres, Brunswick West, 3055. chris@brunswicklabor.net
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Thursday, December 6. 2007
Reforms make FOI Access Cheaper and Easier
The State Government has introduced reforms to make public access to information easier as the number of Freedom of Information requests in Victoria reaches record levels.
FoI applications will be free to lodge under reforms introduced in State Parliament by the Government last month.
The reforms will also increase information provided on the Internet about Government functions.
These reforms will bring Freedom of Information laws into the 21st century and result in easier, cheaper access to more information.
The reforms will:
- Abolish the $22 FoI application fee and conclusive certificates for Cabinet documents;
- Require departments and agencies to provide certain information on the internet which must be regularly updated (in line with guidelines to be issued by the Attorney-General);
- Expand the lodgement of online FoI applications;
- Give agencies discretion to waive access charges of less than $11 (these charges cover the cost of processing applications); and
- Enable VCAT to declare an FoI applicant vexatious so further applications by that person can only be made with the permission of VCAT. Victoria is the only mainland state to abolish FoI application fees under these reforms.
“The Government has restored and improved public access to information following the Kennett Government era.”
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