The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) marked International Access to Information Day this week (27 September to 1 October) with the release of reports into the culture of Freedom of Information (FOI) in the State and the importance of the proactive release of information.
The Office summarised key findings of the two Reports in Enhancing Victoria’s FOI Culture to be Open by Design and outlined the actions it intended to take to encourage the proactive and informal release of information by Government Agencies.
In its summary Report, OVIC said its research highlighted that FOI functioned well in Victoria “but it should be better”.
“Agencies (FOI practitioners and Principal Officers) understand that the purpose and intent of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act) is to facilitate access to information promptly and inexpensively,” OVIC said.
“They also understand that proactive and informal release forms part of the FOI system in Victoria,” it said.
“However, Agencies face challenges such as limited and stretched staff resources, increasing workloads and complex legislation.”
OVIC said these challenges could lead to delays in processing requests; an increase in the number of FOI reviews and complaints it received; and an increase in the number of matters which proceeded to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The Office said this in turn increased the FOI workload of Agencies and created barriers to the public receiving timely access to information.
“Despite these challenges, Agencies have a strong will to make FOI in Victoria work better,” it said.
“To assist Agencies, OVIC is focused on influencing Victoria’s reliance on FOI to instead embrace a culture of proactive and informal release – in effect – making FOI a last resort.”
OVIC said this cultural shift would fulfill the object of the Act and embrace best practice by making it easier for the public to access information and making it more efficient for Agencies to facilitate access to information.
The Office said it would build on its existing education and training activities, drive greater stakeholder engagement and continue to promote proactive and informal release across the public sector over the next 12 to 18 months.
OVIC’s 16-page summary Report can be accessed at this PS News link, its 73-page Culture of Administering Access to Government Information and Freedom Of Information in Victoria Part II Report at this link and its 32-page Proactive and Informal Release Behaviour Change Report at this link.
