The ACT Ombudsman has announced that changes to the ACT Freedom of Information rules came into effect this week.
The Ombudsman, Michael Manthorpe said the changes to the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (FOI) impact on how ACT Agencies are required to process access applications and the ACT Ombudsman’s review processes.
In a message to potential applicants, Mr Manthorpe said the changes were mainly operational and designed to improve the processing of access applications.
“Processing of your access application can now be extended by the time it takes you to respond to a request to clarify the information you are seeking, or confirm fees payable on your application,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“It can also be suspended if you fail to respond and the Agency is unable to contact you.”
He encouraged people looking to make a formal access application to provide as much detail as possible to help the Agency identify the information they would be looking for.
“Changes have also been made to Ombudsman FOI review processing timeframes,” Mr Manthorpe said.
“Our Office will help to try to resolve reviews, via informal resolution processes where possible, within 30 working days,” he said.
“Where this is not possible, we now have a further 30 working days to finalise our review.”
The Ombudsman said that other changes to the Act included additional ground for non-publication of information where it was about an applicant’s professional affairs, as well as agencies no longer being required to give notice regarding an FOI decision they made out of time until that matter is finalised.
He said the Agencies were no longer able to seek extensions of time from an applicant longer than 12 months in total.
“The Ombudsman has greater flexibility to provide an Agency with an extension of time to process an access application,” Mr Manthorpe said.
Further information on the operation of the FOI Act in the ACT can be accessed at this PS News link.
