latest news from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner - some papers due for comment and some updates on legislation
Jo
------ Forwarded Message
From: OAICnet <oaic_update@privacy.gov.au>
Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2011 11:41:54 +1100
To: Joanna Baker <baker.joanna@gmail.com>
Subject: [OAICnet] OAIC News - 8 February 2011 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear OAICnet subscriber,
OFFICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN INFORMATION COMMISSIONER NEWS:
1. OAIC launches blog on its Issues Paper 1 - Towards an Australian Government Information Policy
The OAIC released an issues paper entitled Towards an Australian Government Information Policy at its launch on 1 November 2010 (available at http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/papers.html). The Issues Paper proposes ten draft principles on open public sector information. The OAIC is now seeking comments on the principles via a blog available at http://oaic.govspace.gov.au . Alternatively, formal submissions can be made to consultation@oaic.gov.au .
Comments are due by 1 March 2011.
2. Accessibility and the Information Public Scheme (IPS)
Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) establishes the IPS for Australian government agencies subject to the Act. The OAIC has recently contributed a guest post about accessibility and the IPS on the Australian Government Information Management Office blog at: http://agimo.govspace.gov.au/2011/01/31/guest-post-get-ready-for-1-may-2011-%e2%80%93-the-foi-information-publication-scheme/ .
Comments are due by 1 March 2011.
3. FOI Guidelines: Part 4 - Charges for providing access issued
The Information Commissioner formally issued Part 4 of the FOI guidelines on 4 February 2011. This Part, and the other 5 Parts that have been formally issued, are available on the OAIC's website at http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/guidelines.html . Agencies must have regard to these guidelines in performing a function or exercising a power under the FOI Act.
4. Inaugural IC review decision
On 25 January 2011, FOI Commissioner James Popple delivered the first review decision under section 55K of the FOI Act. Commissioner Popple reviewed a decision by NBN Co to refuse access to the applicant Mr David Crowe (The Australian newspaper) to submissions made by NBN Co to the Australian Consumer Competition Commission. Commissioner Popple affirmed NBN Co's decision that it is not an entity that is subject to the Act. The decision is available on the OAIC website here: http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/decisions.html .
OTHER CONSULTATIONS:
5. Superannuation law changes
The Australian Government Department of the Treasury has released draft legislation to allow superannuation funds to use tax file numbers (TFNs) to identify members' accounts from 1 July 2011. These measures stem from the Cooper review of superannuation, to which the Office made a submission: http://www.privacy.gov.au/materials/types/download/9467/7034 . The draft legislation can be viewed here: http://strongersuper.treasury.gov.au/content/Content.aspx?doc=home.htm . Comments are due by 17 February 2011.
6. Draft public sector information licensing guidelines
The Australian Government Attorney-General's Department is currently seeking comments on guidelines to assist Government agencies in making licensing decisions about adopting Creative Commons or other open licensing arrangements when publishing public sector information. The guidelines are available here: http://agimo.govspace.gov.au/2011/02/01/guest-post-comment-sought-on-draft-public-sector-information-licensing-guidelines/ .
Comments are due by 21 February 2011.
7. Exposure Drafts of Australian Privacy Amendment Legislation - Credit Reporting
The Parliament of Australia - Senate Finance and Public Affairs Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into the Exposure Draft of Australian Privacy Amendment Legislation - Credit Reporting. Information about the inquiry is available here http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fapa_ctte/priv_exp_drafts/index.htm
Comments are due by 24 March 2011.
Regards
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
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