'What does the newly enacted FOI legislation mean to Tasmanians? An analysis of media coverage and publicity, state government department knowledge and general public awareness.'

J. Goldschmied & D. Watts

1993 (Tas) 8 PPL

The object of this paper was to ascertain the level of understanding and public awareness of the newly enacted Tasmanian FOI Act. The methodology adopted was contact with enquiry officers in selected state government departments and journalists, and analysis of the number of requests received by agencies. The research conducted revealed that the access channels available to the public are nonexistent, and the level of knowledge and general awareness of FOI is low in Tasmania. It seems that the Tasmanian public is largely unaware of the Act, or uncertain of the procedures for using it. Street-level bureaucrats are ignorant of FOI procedures despite training programs undertaken by the FOI Unit. The study concludes that nine months of legislative activity, media coverage, and state department action and funding have not been adequate to communicate the existence and purpose of FOI to the general public, and that more resources must be devoted to this aim.