Discussion paper

On 17 September 2007, the Queensland Government appointed an independent expert panel to undertake a comprehensive review of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (FOI Act) with broad-ranging Terms of Reference 19kb PDF. The Panel was asked to prepare a discussion paper, for community consultation, and then a report with its recommendations.

On 30 January 2008, the discussion paper was released for public consultation.

In conducting the review the Panel has examined relevant existing and proposed Commonwealth, State and Territory laws and practices as well as other recent reviews of freedom of information legislation, nationally and internationally.

Issues raised in the discussion paper include:

the purposes and principles of FOI
the exemption provisions
the administration of FOI in Queensland
time and costs of applications
review mechanisms
the role of the Information Commissioner.

The panel welcomes your written comments and feedback via email to enquiries@foireview.qld.gov.au or by mail to FOI Independent Review Panel, GPO Box 5236, Brisbane 4001.

Submissions close Friday 7 March 2008.

Following the consultation period, a report will be prepared for the Queensland Government.

Discussion paper 1.52mb PDF

Please note that this version of the discussion paper supersedes the printed version as it corrects a minor error on page 55 by removing reference to an administrative scheme attributed to the Department of Primary Industries.

Last updated June 10, 2008