Watch webinar recording here.
The Federal Government has recently introduced its long awaited amendments to the Freedom of Information Act. They have proven immediately controversial particularly where they attempt to limit access to government documents. As recent research by the Centre for Public Integrity shows, it is already difficult for Australians to access government documents. There has been a dramatic decline in the proportion of applications granted in full and an increase in refusal rates, as well as lengthy delays, in recent years.
In this panel, Professor John McMillan AO, Professor Gabrielle Appleby, and barrister and former journalist Paul Farrell will discuss the existing challenges in Freedom of Information law and practice, and the Government's proposed changes.
This event is jointly hosted by the UNSW Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law and the Centre for Public Integrity, and will be held online via Zoom.
Speakers
Professor John McMillan AO was the first Australian Information Commissioner, is a former Commonwealth Ombudsman and Acting NSW Ombudsman, and is an Emeritus Professor at ANU.
Professor Gabrielle Appleby is the Research Director at the Centre for Public Integrity and a Professor at UNSW.
Paul Farrell practices at the NSW bar, and is a Walkey Award-winning investigative journalist and author.
Chair: Associate Professor Janina Boughey is the Director of the Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law and an Associate Professor at UNSW.