The Freedom of Information Act 1982 is Commonwealth legislation that allows the general public to seek access to information held by any Commonwealth agency or authority.
The Australian National University is a Commonwealth authority and subject to the Act.
The Act was amended in 2010 with the objective of making it easier to access information held by Commonwealth agencies or authorities. It aims to do this through:
– A ‘pro-disclosure’ culture (favouring release of information); and
– The abolition of application fees and reducing processing fees.