Canberra, Tuesday 5 March 2002
Two decades of open government - what have we learnt?
It has been two decades since the introduction of the Commonwealth Freedom
of Information (FOI) Act, what has changed? These questions and more will
be answered tonight at a public lecture, the second of the popular ANU
public lecture series, sponsored this year by Toyota.
The lecture, by Professor John McMillan, Faculty of Law, ANU and presented
by The Australian National University Faculty of Law Alumni and the National
Institute of Government & Law, will focus on the developments in open
government in Australia, reflecting on the achievements, continuing challenges,
and paths that might have been taken.
Professor McMillan believes that despite the commencement of the Commonwealth
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in 1982, obstacles to open government
nevertheless continue.
"FOI is too expensive for many applicants; privacy claims can counteract
openness and government and outsourcing has spawned a new trend in commercial
confidentiality claims.
"The FOI legislation has been copied around Australia and has encouraged
other developments that have similarly contributed to a more open style
Australian government including, annual departmental reports, web publishing
and erosion of the public/private divide," Professor McMillan said.
The lecture will also mark Professor McMillan's appointment to the Alumni
Chair of Administrative Law at the ANU.
Professor McMillan was closely involved in the open government movement
in Australia in the 1970's, as a spokesperson for the Freedom of Information
Legislation Campaign Committee. He has had a continuing career in administrative
law, as an academic, legal practitioner, government advisor and community
activist.
When: 5.30 to 6.30pm, Tuesday 5 March 2002
Where: Law Theatre, Faculty of Law, Fellows Road, ANU
For more information contact Michelle Mabille on 6125 4070 or Genevieve
Turville 6125 5575
24/2002
© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
Questions or Comments?
Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002
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