The Heliport Dispute: A Case Study of the use of FOI Legislation in Environmental Matters in NSW.

G Higinbotham

1994 (Wol) 1 AAL

The case study exposed several serious problems in the use of FOI legislation in environmental matters and on a broader scale in NSW. These include problems of time limits, insufficient reasons statements, both internal and external review as well as problems inherent in the attitudes of the FOI officers. It is suggested that such problems may be combated through modification of FOI procedure (such as incentives for prompt response, an Information Commissioner, education) and reform of the Act.