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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT REGULATION 2016 (NO 2) (NO 32 OF 2016)
2016
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR
THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL
TERRITORY
FREEDOM
OF INFORMATION AMENDMENT REGULATION 2016 (No
2)
SL2016-32
Presented by
Gordon Ramsay
MLA
Attorney-General
Introduction
This explanatory statement relates to
the Freedom of Information Amendment Regulation 2016 (No 2) (the Amending
Regulation). It has been prepared in order to assist the reader of the Amending
Regulation.
The statement is to be read in conjunction with the Amending
Regulation. It is not, and is not meant to be, a comprehensive description of
the Amending Regulation.
Outline
Purpose of the Regulation
The Amending Regulation
exempts the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) in relation to
documents given or produced in relation to the independent inquiry into the
management of the custody and care of detainee Steven Freeman at the Alexander
Maconochie Centre (AMC).
The inquiry was conducted by Mr Philip Moss AM,
with the support of JACS, to review the effectiveness of ACT Corrective Services
systems.
The inquiry considered:
• the adequacy of the
management, care and custody of detainee Steven Freeman at the AMC and the
compliance of this care and custody with human rights
obligations;
• the overall effectiveness of the application of relevant
policies and procedures in the care and custody of Steven
Freeman;
• the adequacy of induction and risk assessment policies and
procedures relating to separation of vulnerable detainees at the AMC and how
these were applied to Steven Freeman;
• the adequacy of policies and
procedures relating to separation of vulnerable detainees at the AMC and how
these were applied to Steven Freeman;
• the extent of the consideration
given to Aboriginal culture, traditions and beliefs in the management, care and
custody of Steven Freeman;
• the effectiveness of information sharing
arrangements between the ACT Policing and ACT Corrective Services around new and
remand detainees at AMC; and
• the accessibility and appropriateness of
health and other support services within the AMC for Steven Freeman.
Particularly sensitive information was produced during the course of the
Inquiry, including submissions from members of the public who did not consent to
those submissions being made public. Mr Moss raised concerns that the
submissions had been provided on the basis that they would be confidential, and
releasing them or part of them would be contrary to the public interest as it
would breach confidentiality and lead to a loss of faith in future inquiry
processes.
As an ACT Government agency, JACS is bound by the Freedom
of Information Act 1989 (FOI Act).
Scope of the
Regulation
Section 6(4) of the FOI Act provides that a regulation may
exempt an entity from the operation of the Act in relation to particular
documents. The Amending Regulation exempts documents given or produced in
relation to the inquiry into the management of the custody and care of detainee
Steven Freeman at the AMC from the operation of the FOI Act, other than
documents of an administrative nature.
While the material that was
provided to the inquiry may already be captured by existing FOI Act exemptions,
the Amending Regulation puts this beyond doubt, which is appropriate given the
importance of protecting this particularly sensitive information.
Regulatory impact statement
A regulatory impact
statement is not required for this regulation as it does not impose any
appreciable costs on the community, or a part of the
community.
Human Rights Implications
Right to privacy
and reputation
The Amending Regulation engages and promotes section 12 of
the Human Rights Act 2004, which promotes the right to privacy and
reputation. As noted above, the Amending Regulation prevents sensitive material
provided to the inquiry from being disclosed to third parties outside of the
formal reporting process.
This is an important protection of the privacy
and reputation of vulnerable individuals who have participated in the inquiry.
Most of the information has been provided to the inquiry on the express basis
that it will remain confidential. The Amending Regulation reinforces assurances
of confidentiality and safety to these individuals. Information not provided
confidentially has already been published.
Freedom of expression
– right to seek and receive information
The Amending Regulation
arguably engages the right to freedom of expression in section 16 of the
Human Rights Act, which includes the right to seek and receive information under
section 16(2). The Amending Regulation limits the ability of an individual to
seek and receive information under the FOI Act. However, the limitation has been
made for the purpose of promoting the right to privacy and reputation in section
12 of the Human Rights Act. This limitation is justifiable in a free and
democratic society.
The Amending Regulation is confined in its scope; it
does not apply to documents relating to matters of an administrative nature,
such as documents relating to the appointment of the officers conducting the
inquiry.
Other information about the inquiry is available to the
community on the JACS website, including terms of reference for the review and
submissions where the author has consented to publication.
Right to
take part in public affairs
The Amending Regulation does not engage the
right to take part in public affairs, directly or through freely chosen
representatives, in section 17(a) of the Human Rights Act.
In Law
Society of the ACT & Treasury Directorate and NRMA Insurance (Appeal)
[2013] ACAT 36 (21 May 2013), Presidential Member Professor Spender observed,
“Unlike section 16 which expressly includes within its ambit the
‘freedom to seek, receive and impart information’, section 17 does
not necessarily contemplate a right to access information or
documents”.[1]
Clause Notes
Clause 1 Name of regulation
This clause provides that the name of this regulation is the Freedom of Information Amendment Regulation 2016 (No 2).
Clause 2 Commencement
This clause provides that this regulation commences on the day after its notification day.
Clause 3 Legislation amended
This clause provides that this regulation amends the Freedom of Information Regulation 1991.
Clause 4 Schedule 2, new item 8
This clause adds a new item 8 to schedule 2 of the Freedom of Information Regulation.
Schedule 2 lists agencies that are exempt from the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1989 with respect to particular documents. This clause provides that the Justice and Community Safety Directorate is exempt from the operation of the Freedom of Information Act in relation to documents given or produced in relation to the independent inquiry into the management of the custody and care of detainee Steven Freeman at the Alexander Maconochie Centre, conducted by Mr Philip Moss AM. However, this exemption does not apply to documents that relate to matters of an administrative nature.
[1] Law Society of the ACT & Treasury Directorate and NRMA Insurance (Appeal) [2013] ACAT 36 (21 May 2013) at para 114.