Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1989 - SECT 2

    (1)     The object of this Act is to extend as far as possible the right of the Australian community and, in particular, the citizens of the Territory, to access to information in the possession of the Territory by—

        (a)     making available to the public information about the operations of agencies and, in particular, ensuring that rules and practices affecting members of the public in their dealings with agencies are readily available to persons affected by those rules and practices; and

        (b)     creating a general right of access to information in documentary form in the possession of Ministers and agencies, limited only by exceptions and exemptions necessary for the protection of essential public interests and the private and business affairs of persons in respect of whom information is collected and held by agencies.

    (2)     The provisions of this Act shall be interpreted so as to further the objects set out in subsection (1) and to ensure that discretions conferred by this Act are exercised as far as possible to facilitate and promote, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost, the disclosure of information.