NSW: Coalition pledges to overhaul FOI laws

AAP General News (Australia)
12-26-2000
NSW: Coalition pledges to overhaul FOI laws
EDS: EMBARGOED UNTIL 0600 DECEMBER 26, 2000





New South Wales opposition leader KERRY CHIKAROVSKI says a Coalition government would
overhaul freedom of information laws to ensure greater transparency.

Mrs CHIKAROVSKI has attacked the CARR government for ignoring and undermining FOI legislation
to avoid public and political scrutiny.

She says the number of applications granted in full has dropped dramatically since
Labor was elected to office, from 74 per cent in 1995-96 to 60.5 per cent in 1998-99.

Figures from the New South Wales Ombudsman's report 1999/2000 show all four FOI requests
to the Olympic Co-ordination Authority have been rejected.

Of the 149 requests to the Department of Community Services, 77 per cent have been
rejected in full or part.

And 63 per cent of requests to the Department of Education and Training have been rejected
in full or part.

Mrs CHIKAROVSKI says a Coalition government would establish the New South Wales Ombudsman
as the state's Freedom of Information Commissioner.

Mrs CHIKAROVSKI also says the Commissioner would have powers to force agencies to bear
the cost of excessive charges rather than individuals.

AAP RTV sal/wz i

KEYWORD: FOI (SYDNEY)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.