Freedom of information
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:27): (189) My question is to the Attorney-General. I refer to the government’s proposal to refer an examination of the Freedom of Information Act to a parliamentary committee. Will this incorporate an examination of the surge in agency challenges to the independent rulings of the Victorian information commissioner?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:27): I thank Mr Davis for his question in relation to a government-initiated approach to the IOC in relation to a committee reference to review the Freedom of Information Act. I had very positive conversations with the chair of that committee in relation to developing the terms of reference. The terms of reference are clear; they are set. That is the intention. It is not for me to confine the terms of reference in relation to how they relate to the request of them to review the act.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:28): Minister, isn’t this inquiry simply an attempt to nobble OVIC and to make FOI more costly and less transparent?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:28): No. In fact I wanted to progress this review following my conversations with the information commissioner. He has got a few ideas about what he thought could be advanced. He gave me some examples of other jurisdictions and the like. I thought that there are a lot of people in the Parliament that are rather interested in FOI and so a parliamentary committee that is representative of members from across the political divide would be a great avenue to explore what he thinks should happen while also bringing in their experiences and calling on other experts and other witnesses in formulating their advice to government. There is no design to nobble it; in fact I have sent it there so it can be improved.