Wanting someone to explain to me how Freedom of Information laws work. Why is it that now apparently, TechWired/iiNet are able to request the National Broadband Network expert panel report, and the Government just _has_ to give it to them?

Thanks

Because the report was paid for with public money and, as long as the information doesn't compromise national security, anyone can demand to view it?

That's my vague understanding. But I haven't bothered firing up google to look because I suspect you haven't either. :)

paging fade.

http://www.pmc.gov.au/foi/guidelines.cfm

or

http://www.pmc.gov.au/foi/faq.cfm


last edited by Triamks at 10:55:30 20/Feb/09

If you cant get the information via other availabe outlets (i.e. paying a third party distributer like ABR for Survey plans Or Logan City Council for Aerial photography from the mapping department) you basically just say 'Hey gimme the information' and they have to.

They can with hold sensitive (for security) information for a certin period of time, which can vary depending on the information and who produced it.

Lol. Funny thing about TechWired AU is that its run by an 18 year old. Smart kid and good bloke, but still an 18 year old.

I used to work in the administrative law section at Ed Qld as FOI officer.

Basically the applicant writes a letter applying to see certain documents. The Dept generates a list of documents that applies to the request. A quote fee is listed to supply to copy documents (and now hourly search fees apply too which is stupid).

The government takes a black marker through all information which is exempted under sections of the FOI legislation. Government doesn't like to give information out generally so they use these exemptions to maximum.

These decisions of departments can be appealed to the Information Commission in Qld or the AAT and Federal Court in the Commonwealth.

Being charged $4k for a 900 page report seems pretty ridiculous, considering it SHOULD be public information anyway.

f*** Conroy, why can't you just let people know whats going on, since we're paying $5bn to have this network built.

http://techwiredau.com/wp-content/dbcde_foi_cost.jpg

wtf is 'Decision Making Time'
are they charging us for cycles of someones brain to figure out if this information really should be 'Free' ?

Yes.
Thats 'Black Line time' that Infi was talking about.

Would Suck if you paid $3.6k for a 913 page document of black lines :(

As soon as Infi said that, thats exactly what I see TechWired getting. All the good stuff will be black lined.