❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the Minister for Fisheries regarding the implementation of the Information Commissioner's recommendations to improve Freedom of Information (FOI) request handling. The Department of Fisheries outlines steps being taken to improve FOI processes, while the Ministerial Office is receiving additional resources.
AnsweredQoN 4388Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the
Office of the Information Commissioner
, especially at page 30, and I ask -
(1) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement that a considerable portion of his office’s resources are spent dealing with complaints relating to section 20 of the Act (the work involved in dealing with an application), what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to implement his recommendation that there be early and better communication between agencies and applicants to clarify the specific documents and information sought?
(2) If the answer to (1) is none, what is the reason for this?
(3) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement that a number of agencies, particularly Ministers, are routinely giving misconceived advice to applicants that the time for dealing with large applications is suspended until the applicant reduces the scope of the application, what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to end this practice?
(4) If the answer to (3) is none, what is the reason for this?
(5) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement, that agencies (including Ministers) need to set out in their freedom of information files the specific searches and inquiries they have made for the requested documents, so that these need not be recalled if the decision is later subjected to external review, what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to implement this recommendation?
(6) If the answer to (5) is none, what is the reason for this?
Office of the Information Commissioner
, especially at page 30, and I ask -
(1) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement that a considerable portion of his office’s resources are spent dealing with complaints relating to section 20 of the Act (the work involved in dealing with an application), what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to implement his recommendation that there be early and better communication between agencies and applicants to clarify the specific documents and information sought?
(2) If the answer to (1) is none, what is the reason for this?
(3) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement that a number of agencies, particularly Ministers, are routinely giving misconceived advice to applicants that the time for dealing with large applications is suspended until the applicant reduces the scope of the application, what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to end this practice?
(4) If the answer to (3) is none, what is the reason for this?
(5) Regarding the Information Commissioner’s statement, that agencies (including Ministers) need to set out in their freedom of information files the specific searches and inquiries they have made for the requested documents, so that these need not be recalled if the decision is later subjected to external review, what if any steps have been taken by the Minister and/or the Department to implement this recommendation?
(6) If the answer to (5) is none, what is the reason for this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 September 2011
Responded by
Minister for Fisheries
Response time
28 days
MINISTERIAL OFFICE
(1-6) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (the Department), in accordance with Recommendation (9) of the Administration of Freedom of Information in Western Australia - Comprehensive Report, a review by the Information Commissioner, dated 31 August 2010, is obtaining additional resources to assist Ministerial offices in dealing with FOI applications. It is expected that the additional resources will be available to the Ministerial offices prior to the end of this year.
The additional resources will be located in the Department's FOI Unit and will provide a comprehensive FOI resource for Ministers by carrying out complete and effective searches for relevant documents, negotiation with applicants on large applications, consultation with third parties and drafting of Notices of Decision for review by the relevant Minister.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
(1) The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is currently reviewing the internal processes considered in the processing of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. This includes:
(a) a planned reorganisation of the Corporate Information Branch with a clear increase in FOI processing capacity and competency. The reorganisation has started with the appointment of a new FOI Coordinator (November 2010) and Chief Information Officer (March 2011). Once complete, the reorganisation will increase the Department's ability to proactively respond to requests and ensure that relevantly trained and experienced staff are readily available to manage requests;
(b) rollout of a FOI training program to all staff (including specific briefings to Corporate Executive) to increase awareness of the timeliness and obligations under the FOI Act. This should lead to a clearer understanding of the requirement of the scope of FOI requests; and
(c) as a part of the changes above, reviewing and documenting the processes to be undertaken in the response to an FOI to ensure consistent, compliant and prompt responses to FOI requests.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) As a result of the changes listed in answer (1) above, the DoF is not in the practice of "stopping the clock" until the scope of requests is reduced.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) As highlighted in answer (1) the internal processes for dealing with FOI requests are currently under review and will include a requirement for increased documentation of the decision making processes, including searches conducted allowing for greater transparency and assisting in external review.
(6) Not applicable.
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(1-6) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (the Department), in accordance with Recommendation (9) of the Administration of Freedom of Information in Western Australia - Comprehensive Report, a review by the Information Commissioner, dated 31 August 2010, is obtaining additional resources to assist Ministerial offices in dealing with FOI applications. It is expected that the additional resources will be available to the Ministerial offices prior to the end of this year.
The additional resources will be located in the Department's FOI Unit and will provide a comprehensive FOI resource for Ministers by carrying out complete and effective searches for relevant documents, negotiation with applicants on large applications, consultation with third parties and drafting of Notices of Decision for review by the relevant Minister.
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
(1) The Department of Fisheries (DoF) is currently reviewing the internal processes considered in the processing of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. This includes:
(a) a planned reorganisation of the Corporate Information Branch with a clear increase in FOI processing capacity and competency. The reorganisation has started with the appointment of a new FOI Coordinator (November 2010) and Chief Information Officer (March 2011). Once complete, the reorganisation will increase the Department's ability to proactively respond to requests and ensure that relevantly trained and experienced staff are readily available to manage requests;
(b) rollout of a FOI training program to all staff (including specific briefings to Corporate Executive) to increase awareness of the timeliness and obligations under the FOI Act. This should lead to a clearer understanding of the requirement of the scope of FOI requests; and
(c) as a part of the changes above, reviewing and documenting the processes to be undertaken in the response to an FOI to ensure consistent, compliant and prompt responses to FOI requests.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) As a result of the changes listed in answer (1) above, the DoF is not in the practice of "stopping the clock" until the scope of requests is reduced.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) As highlighted in answer (1) the internal processes for dealing with FOI requests are currently under review and will include a requirement for increased documentation of the decision making processes, including searches conducted allowing for greater transparency and assisting in external review.
(6) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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