'A survey of FOI Officers in Tasmania and an analysis of the published statistics for SA, Queensland and Tasmania.'

RWL Turner

1993(Tas) 1 AAL

The survey was designed to assess the attitudes of FOI officers in particular state agencies towards FOI by means of an anonymous questionnaire. The second part of the study compares published statistics on FOI use in SA, Qld and Tasmania. An assessment between the survey results (attitudes of the FOI officers) and the published figures for the first three months of FOI in Tasmania tend to be in conflict. Although the questionnaire responses demonstrate an acceptance of the requirements of the legislation, the statistics suggest that the response rate to requests is lower than in other states. There is some evidence that some agencies perceive a threat from the legislation, and it is noted that although the numbers are small there seems to be a greater perception of threat in those agencies receiving the most requests. The author recommends a further assessment of the legislation after it has been at least 12 months in operation.