Greens want overhaul of FOI

An overhaul of the state?s freedom of information (FOI) laws would restore credibility and champion a new culture of openness and accountability, according to the Greens.
Greens NSW MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the State Government to initiate an independent review of the NSW FOI Act.
In 2006 the Labor government voted against Lee Rhiannon’s private member’s bill to initiate an independent review of the Act.
“After more than a decade of refusing to review NSW FOI laws Premier Morris Iemma should bite the bullet and commit to reform,? Ms Rhiannon said.
The Greens has called on the Ombudsman to consider requiring government agencies to actively and routinely publish government held information on the web, with limited exceptions, thus reducing the public’s reliance on FOI requests.
“We need an independent ‘Information Commissioner’, responsible for
FOI and privacy, to facilitate a shift to open government, monitor compliance with FOI laws and assist individuals with complaints,” Ms Rhiannon said.