The Wire

Freedom of Information in Australia is often called freedom FROM Information because of the dated and secretive system currently in place. However, politicians could soon be subject to a radical new Freedom of Information Act under changes proposed by the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour. In his recent review of the law Barbour says the present system is “overly complex” and “pretty appalling” and is calling on the Rees Labor Government to replace it with a new Open Government Information Act. At a national level The Rudd government has also come on for criticism with some commentators expressing disappointment at the lack of reform so far.