IAM and FOI
This week in Canberra we celebrated the launch of Information Awareness Month at the National Archives of Australia - and who better to celebrate with than with politicians, the Canberra tradition !
Senator Faulkner gave an interesting speech at the launch that was also attended by Senator Lundy, outlining the FOI Review. To quote from the speech - “ The draft Information Commissioner Bill 2009 and Freedom of Information Amendment (Reform) Bill 2009, have been released for public consultation. They will deliver the first substantial overhaul of the federal Freedom of Information regime since the Act’s inception in 1982. The legislation will also implement a new Commonwealth Government publication scheme. This publication scheme will require agencies to actively consider the types of information they have which can and should be made available to the public. It will not only encourage, but mandate, agencies to publish what they can lawfully publish – forcing a change of attitude for agencies to think about what they should be publishing rather than what they are obliged to. ”
Submissions are due this coming week and ALIA has asked other key library peak bodies to join them in a combined submission for this review. Chair of the ALIA Government Publications Advisory Committee, Roxanne Missingham is leading this submission. You thoughts and comments as ALIA members are still welcome. Send them to jane.hardy@alia.org.au by Tuesday 12th May.
ALIA is pleased to join with many other information-related Associations in Information Awareness Month. Take a look at the website for events near you during the month.