BackSouth Australia Ombudsman Richard Bingham performed an audit to find out if government departments did fulfil their obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, which has been in operation for two decades.
In his report on the audit of state government departments’ implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 1991, Ombudsman Bingham explains that “government-held information is a public resource; and the public’s right to access to this information is central to the functioning of a participative democracy”. He further adds that “freedom of information legislation is one means by which the public can understand, review and participate in government decision-making”.
The Freedom of Information Act 1991 (SA) has been in operation for two decades. The Ombudsman’s Audit of state government departments’ implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 1991 (SA) does not only give an overview on how government agencies manage their responsibilities under the Act, but also focuses on the Ombudsman’s experiences as a review authority.
