Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Journals of the Senate, No. 113, 23 August 2018, p. 3606.

[2]        Senator Rex Patrick, Senate Hansard, 22 August 2018, p. 5572.

[3]        Senator Rex Patrick, Senate Hansard, 22 August 2018, p. 5572.

[4]        Senator Rex Patrick, Senate Hansard, 22 August 2018, p. 5572.

[5]        Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Annual Report 2010–11, p. 5.

[6]        Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Annual Report 2010–11, p. v.

[7]        Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Annual Report 2010–11, p. v.

[8]        Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, pp. 3-4.

[9]        Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Annual Report 2010–11, p. 5

[10]      www.oaic.gov.au/media-and-speeches/statements/australian-government-s-budget-decision-to-disband-oaic#australian-governments-budget-decision-to-disband-oaic (accessed 12 November 2018).

[11]      www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/ Result?bId=r5350  (accessed 12 November 2018).

[12]      www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/ Result?bId=r5350 (accessed 12 November 2018).

[13]      Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 2.

[14]      Mr Richard Mulligan, The slow death of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 August 2015, https://www.smh.com.au/public-service/the-slow-death-of-the-office-of-the-australian-information-commissioner-20150826-gj81dl.html (accessed 12 November 2018).

[15]      Attorney-General’s Department, Submission 3, p. 2.

[16]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 5.

[17]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 5.

[18]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 5.

[19]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 6.

[20]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 8.

[21]      Subsection 54W(b) of the FOI Act, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 8.

[22]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 6.

[23]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 7.

[24]      Explanatory Memorandum, pp. 2–3.

[25]      Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, Scrutiny Digest 10 of 2018, 12 September 2018, p. 10.

[26]      Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, Human Rights Scrutiny Report 9 of 2018, 11 September 2018, p. 22.

[27]      The committee's website can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs.

Chapter 2 - Key issues

[1]        Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, pp. 2–4; Mr Asher Hirsch, Dr Yee-Fui Ng, and Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Submission 4, p. 4-6, Mr Peter Timmins, Submission 7, p. 2, Transparency International Australia, Submission 8, p. 3.

[2]        Ms Fiona McLeod SC, Chair, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 1.

[3]        Additional information provided by the Attorney-General's Department correcting evidence in Hansard, (received 26 November 2018), p. 1.

[4]        Mr Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, AGD, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 29.

[5]        Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 34

[6]        Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 34.

[7]        Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 34.

[8]        Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 40.

[9]        Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 40.

[10]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 3.

[11]      Ms Lara Freidin, Policy Lawyer, Administrative Law and Human Rights Section, Law Institute of Victoria, Committee Hansard (Proof),16 November 2018, p. 6.

[12]      Mr Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, AGD, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 28.

[13]      Mr Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, AGD, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 31.

[14]      Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 6 and Transparency International Australia, Submission 8, p. 3.

[15]      Transparency International Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[16]      Dr David Solomon AM, Director, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 5.

[17]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 3. See also Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 11.

[18]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 34.

[19]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 35.

[20]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 13.

[21]      Law Institute of Victoria, Submission 1, p. 2; Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 6 and Mr Asher Hirsch, Dr Yee-Fui Ng, and Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Submission 4, p. 9.

[22]      Law Institute of Victoria, Submission 1, p. 2.

[23]      Ms Fiona McLeod SC, Chair, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 6.

[24]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 2.

[25]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 2.

[26]      Mr Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, AGD, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 31.

[27]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 1

[28]      Mr Asher Hirsch, Dr Yee-Fui Ng, and Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Submission 4, p. 2.

[29]      Ms Karen Middleton, Reporter, The Saturday Paper, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 11.

[30]      Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 18.

[31]      Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 9.

[32]      Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 10.

[33]      Ms Fiona McLeod SC, Chair, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 5.

[34]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 34.

[35]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 4.

[36]      Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 12.

[37]      Ms Karen Middleton, Reporter, The Saturday Paper, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 13.

[38]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, FOI Guidelines: Guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under s 93A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, May 2018.

[39]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 4.

[40]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, FOI Guidelines: Guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under s 93A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, May 2018, para 14.27.

[41]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 4.

[42]      Dr Allan Hawke, Review of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010, 2013.

[43]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 12.

[44]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 3.

[45]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 5.

[46]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 13.

[47]      Law Institute of Victoria, Submission 1, p. 3. See also Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, pp. 4–5 and Transparency International Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[48]      Ms Elisa Hesling, Committee Member, Administrative Review and Constitutional Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 3.

[49]      Department of Home Affairs, Submission 5, p. 3.

[50]      Law Institute of Victoria, Submission 1, p. 3.

[51]      Ms Elisa Hesling, Committee Member, Administrative Review and Constitutional Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 3.

[52]      Ms Fiona McLeod, answers to questions on notice, 16 November 2018 (received 22 November 2018).

[53]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 14.

[54]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 8.

[55]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 8.

[56]      Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 12.

[57]      Law Institute of Victoria, Submission 1, p. 2.

[58]      Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 7.

[59]      OpenAustralian Foundation, Submission 9, p. 6.

[60]      Dr David Solomon AM, Director, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 7. See also Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 18.

[61]      Ms Fiona McLeod SC, Chair, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 8.

[62]      Ms Elisa Hesling, Committee Member, Administrative Review and Constitutional Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 8.

[63]      Dr David Solomon AM, Accountability Round Table, answers to questions on notice, 16 February 2018, (received 16 November 2018).

[64]      Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Annual Report 2017–18, p. 28.

[65]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 36.

[66]      Ms Fiona McLeod SC, Chair, Accountability Round Table, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 5.

[67]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, answers to questions on notice, 16 November 2018 (received 29 November 2018), answer to question 3.

[68]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, answers to questions on notice, 16 November 2018 (received 29 November 2018), answer to question 3.

[69]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, answers to questions on notice, 16 November 2018 (received 29 November 2018), answer to question 3.

[70]      Mr Russell Wilson, Non-Executive Director, Transparency International Australia, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 24.

[71]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p.5.

[72]      Mr Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary, Integrity and Security Division, AGD, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 32.

[73]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 36.

[74]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 12.

[75]      Attorney-General’s Department, Submission 3, p. 4.

[76]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 13.

[77]      Ms Karen Middleton, Reporter, The Saturday Paper, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 14.

[78]      Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 20.

[79]      Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 20.

[80]      Mr Russell Wilson, Non-Executive Director, Transparency International Australia, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 23.

[81]      Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Submission 6, p. 14.

[82]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 6.

[83]      Attorney-General's Department, Submission 3, p. 6.

[84]      Attorney-General’s Department, Submission 3, p. 1.

[85]      Attorney-General’s Department, Submission 3, p. 2.

[86]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 1.

[87]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 1.

[88]      Explanatory Memorandum, p. 1.

[89]      Additional information provided by the Attorney-General's Department correcting evidence in Hansard, (received 26 November 2018), p. 1.

[90]      Ms Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner, OAIC, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 40.

[91]      Section 55K are non-delegable decisions made by the Information Commissioner.

[92]      Dr Maria O'Sullivan, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 20.

Dissenting Report by Senator Rex Patrick - Freedom of information, but only after the Information Commissioner finally gets around to making a review decision

[1]        Ralph Nadar, Freedom of Information: the Act and the Agencies.

[2]        Ms Elisa Hesling, Committee Member, Administrative Review and Constitutional Law Committee, Law Institute of Victoria, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 1.

[3]        Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 11.

[4]        Ms Karen Middleton, Reporter, The Saturday Paper, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, p. 11.

[5]        Mr Michael McKinnon, Journalist and FOI Editor, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Committee Hansard (Proof), 16 November 2018, pp. 16–17.

[6]        Joint Media Release, The Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer and Senator Mathias Cormann, http://kmo.ministers.treasury.gov.au/media-release/091-2018/ (Accessed 30 November 2018).

[7]        Joint Media Release, The Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer and Senator Mathias Cormann, http://kmo.ministers.treasury.gov.au/media-release/091-2018/ (Accessed 30 November 2018).

[8]        Additional information provided by the Attorney-General's Department correcting evidence in Hansard, (received 26 November 2018), p. 1.

Australian Greens dissenting report

[1]        Mr Peter Timmins, Submission 7, p. 1.

[2]        Mr Peter Timmins, Submission 7, p. 1.

[3]        Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 2.

[4]        Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 5.

[5]        Transparency International Australia, Submission 8, p. 5.

[6]        Law Institute of Australia, Submission 1, p. 1.

[7]        Law Institute of Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[8]        Accountability Round Table, Submission 2, p. 6.

[9]        Law Institute of Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[10]      OpenAustralia Foundation, Submission 9, p. 1.