From the Executive Director

As some of you may be aware, the Integrity and Oversight Committee of the Parliament of Victoria ("Committee") is conducting an inquiry into an extensive number of aspects of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) ("Act"). 

After 40 years of operation of the Act, a comprehensive review will take place in relation to the following matters:

1. The effectiveness of the Act’s current policy model, which is based on formal requests for information, and other options available, including options utilised in other jurisdictions

2. Mechanisms for proactive and informal release of information, including the effectiveness of information publication schemes

3. Efficient and timely mechanisms for persons to access their own personal and health information

4. The information management practices and procedures required across government to facilitate access to information

5. Opportunities to increase the disclosure of information relating to government services using technology

6. The purposes and principles of access to information and whether the Act meets those purposes and principles, including:

a. the object of the Act as set out in section 3;

b. the definition of document in section 5; and

c. the operation of exemptions and exceptions in Part III and Part IV

7. The effectiveness of processes under the Act and how those processes could be streamlined and made more effective and efficient

8. The time and costs involved in providing access to information.

If you or your agency would like to make a submission to the Committee, please note that submissions are due by 1 December 2023 and should be submitted to ioc@parliament.vic.gov.au .  Guidance on making submissions is available here and more information about the referral of the inquiry by the Legislative Assembly to the Committee is available here.

The Committee is required to report by no later than 29 March 2024.