Information Publication SchemeA Defence Perspective

Guiding principles

Agency Plans and IPS should further the objects of the FOI Act

Information published by an agency under the IPS should be easily discoverable, understandable and machine-readable

Published information should be accessible – in particular, it should meet WCAG 2.0

Agencies are encouraged to adopt the publications framework to ensure a consistent look and feel across agencies in IPS compliance

Guiding principles

Published information should be made available for reuse on open licensing terms, so as to enhance the economic and social value of the information

Published information should be reviewed regularly for accuracy, currency and completeness

Guiding principles

The IPS requirements

From 1 May 2011 agencies will be required to:

•publish agency plans

•publish specific categories of information

•consider proactively publishing other government information

Specific categories of information

• Agency Plan• Agency organisational structure• Functions and powers• Statutory appointments• Annual reports• Consultation arrangements

• Information routinely given through FOI access requests

• Parliamentary information• Contact officers• Operational information

Operational Information

Rational for publishing operational information

Ensures that individuals can be adequately informed about the framework of rules, policies, principles and procedures that agencies apply in making decisions or recommendations that affect members of the public

Definition of operational information

…information held by the agency to assist the agency to perform or exercise the agency’s functions or powers in making decisions or recommendations affecting members of the public (or any particular person or entity, or class or persons or entities).

Operational information and s 9

Encompasses, but can apply more broadly than, the information that agencies are already publishing under s 9

Breadth of concept of operational information

• Information that can assist agency officers

• Functions or powers of an agency

• Making decisions or recommendations

• Affecting members of the public or a class of people

What isn’t operational information?• Exempt matter – in other words, information that

is exempt from access under the FOI Act

• Information that is restricted or prohibited from publication under an enactment

• Information held by the agency to assist the agency to perform or exercise incidental functions and powers

Examples of operational information

Agency rules, guidelines, practices, precedents and training material relating to agency decisions and recommendations

Disclosure log

From 1 May 2011, agencies and ministers need to publish on their websites information which has been released in response to FOI access requests (s 11C)

Publishing options

1. Make the information available for downloading on the agency or minister’s website

2. Link to another website where the information can be downloaded

3. Give details of how the information may be obtained

Accessibility for the IPS and disclosure log

•Information must be published to members of the public generally

•And for the IPS, to particular classes or persons or entities if appropriate

A Few Issues• Publication of electronic records• Responsibility for publication• Charges• Design and contents of the disclosure log• WCAG2.o and the Disability Discrimination Act• Length of time information will be accessible• Herding the cats

Questions?