Welcome

Welcome to my Freedom of Information (FOI) pages, where you will find helpful information for FOI practitioners. For example, there are comparative tables showing analogous provisions in Australian FOI legislation to assist in searching for precedents in other jurisdictions. Over time this will be expanded to cover the major English-speaking FOI jurisdictions internationally, with direct links to the legislative source. The links page lists FOI sites around the world. The training page gives details of upcoming FOI training courses.

FOI practitioners (people who handle FOI matters professionally, in or out of government) are iinvited to e-mail me with comments or questions at any time.

As noted on the "what's new?" page, change is underway in several Australian FOI regimes. My Queensland course materials have been rewritten to support decision-makers in applying the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTIA), which commenced on 1 July 2009.

For New South Wales, I have rewritten my two-day FOI course to cover the requirements of the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GI(PA)), which commenced on 1 July 2010. For the brochure for the next GIPA courses, click on Training Courses at left.

Tasmania's new Right to Information Act also commenced on 1 July 2010. I have also provided training in the reforms to the federal FOI Act, which came into effect on 1 November 2010 and May 2011.

If you are reading this page because you are planning to make an FOI request, see my page for members of the general public. It now includes a list of specific links for FOI requesters in Australia. I hope it will set you on the road to finding the specific person or organisation who can answer your questions.

Megan Carter
Director

About us

Information Consultants Pty Ltd was established in 1998.

It offers a range of services, specialising in training and consulting in Freedom Of Information (FOI) and Human Resources.

Megan Carter, Director of the company, has been working in the field of FOI since 1981, and in human resources since 1986. She is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow with the Constitution Unit at University College London.

Administrative Law

Services have included development of policies, procedures and information systems, implementation and training.

• Development of policies, procedures, and information systems for implementation of FOI, Judicial Review (JR), and Privacy/Data Protection
• FOI Training: developed and conducted over 400 days of courses for more than 5000 clerical and professional staff (at Federal, State and local levels in Australia) since 1982
• FOI Implementation: developed and conducted over 300 days of training for the civil service, health boards, local authorities and other agencies in Ireland between 1997 and the present
• Researched and drafted hundreds of FOI decisions at first instance and internal review levels; prepared submissions to Information Commissioners
• Managed or advised on complex or problematic FOI casework and external reviews (Ombudsman, Information Commissioner and Tribunals) for Australian state and Federal agencies, and overseas government agencies
• Provided specialist intensive training for staff of the Irish Information Commissioner and the House of Commons (U.K.) in regard to the implementation of their respective Acts.
• Presented FOI training to over 500 trainees in China under the auspices of the EU-China Information Society Project
• Advised on impact of Privacy legislation.

Human Resources Management work has included:

• Training: development, presentation and evaluation of courses
• Investigation and resolution of workplace grievances, sexual and racial harassment complaints
• Investigation of disciplinary matters
• Organisation structure / Job redesign / Position evaluations
• Development of position / person specifications and competency profiles
• Performance appraisal / performance management
• Recruitment interviewing and assessment
• Development of HRM policies and procedures