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10 October 2002

A Big Win For Democracy In The NT

Environment Centre congratulates NT Government for delivering on Freedom of Information legislation The Environment Centre NT has today congratulated the NT Government on the successful passage of the Information Bill. The Bill which was passed late on Tuesday night will guarantee Territorians access to information held by government and is an important democratic right which has been denied to Territorians for many years.

The Coordinator of the Environment Centre Mark Wakeham said today:

"This legislation is a really important landmark in the NT's history. Territorians now have the same rights of access to government information (and in some cases better access) as people elsewhere in Australia. The NT Government has delivered on a key election promise and should be congratulated for having done so."

"The Government seems also to have taken on board many of the issues raised in the public consultation process for the Bill. The Bill passed this week was considerably better than earlier drafts of the legislation. It is extremely heartening that the Government has listened to the community's opinions on the inadequacies of the draft legislation."

"The Environment Centre has highlighted the need for the NT to introduce Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation for many years. Along with other community groups the Environment Centre organised Tasmanian FoI expert Rick Snell's visit to Darwin last year to increase public debate and awareness about the FoI legislation. Many of the concerns raised by Rick Snell last year have now been rectified in the new Act."

"The Environment Centre welcomes the new legislation and congratulates the NT Government on its enactment."

For further information contact ECNT:
Phone: 08 8981 1984
Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

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