[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_FoI Response Delay Premier Agrees is Unacceptable_T Morris MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

FOI REQUEST RESPONSE DELAY UNACCEPTABLE - EVEN THE PREMIER AGREES

But No Commitment To Ensure Levendale School Information is Provided

Tim Morris MP
Member for Lyons

Thursday, 16 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that the Education Department remains in
breach of the Freedom of Information Act 1991, by failing to provide any
of the information requested on the possible closure of the Levendale
School that was submitted three months ago, despite a legal requirement
to do so under the Act

Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MP, said that despite the Premier
and Education Minister, David Bartlett, acknowledging under questioning
today that his Department's failure to meet the timeframes under the FOI
Act was unacceptable, the Premier was unable to provide a date by when
the information would be provided, despite receiving advice during
question time.

Mr Morris also said that while the Premier's commitment that next year's
State Budget will include extra resourcing for Freedom of Information
officers is welcome, it does not address the lack of compliance with the
Act that has already occurred.

"On July 17th this year I submitted a FoI request to obtain
documentation that may exist on the possible closure of the Levendale
School, and despite the Act requiring a response within 30 days, I have
received nothing since the initial acknowledgement letter," Mr Morris
said.

"Even the Premier was forced to acknowledge, when I questioned him
today, that this non-compliance by the Education Department is
unacceptable."

"However, Mr Bartlett still could not provide me with a timeframe by
when I might expect to receive this long-overdue response to my July
Freedom of Information request, so in the meantime I am left in limbo."

"Any relevant information to the possible closure of the Levendale
School would be very relevant to myself as a Member for Lyons, and to
the local community, as we need to be able to assess potential options
that may avoid the closure of the school, or help to prepare and adjust
to changes to the school situation."

"Not only have I not received any information in response to my FoI
request, I have also not received any requests for an extension, a
situation which is a clear and unacceptable breach of the FoI Act, but
it does not appear that the Premier and Education Minister will take
responsibility to ensure that his Department provides this information
promptly," Mr Morris said.




Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.