ALIA submission to Freedom of Information (FOI) Reform, May 2009

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) congratulates the government on developing the draft legislation and, in a timely manner, seeking to ensure that information is managed as a national resource. Improvements in FOI are vital for an informed nation, and expanding digital access will contribute significantly to an effective democracy and a digital nation.
 
ALIA recommends that to be truly effective further consideration should be given to:

• supporting a national archive of information to ensure long term access (Pandora);
• digitisation of government publications currently produced in paper;
• ensuring information can be found readily, meeting accessibility standards; and
• expanding coverage to include research funded by the Commonwealth.