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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
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| Adelaide Parklands News |
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| Ian Gilfillan Australian Democrats Member of the Legislative Council |
News Release |
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| Adelaide Parklands News |
CODE OF SILENCE REJECTED
Adelaide City Council seems to be confused about the meaning of the term ‘Freedom of Information.’
Democrats Spokesperson on the Adelaide Parklands, Ian Gilfillan has applied to the Council for release of a consultant’s report on the retractable light towers at Adelaide Oval.
Council last night voted not to release the report, unless Mr Gilfillan signed a confidentiality agreement. "This is not freedom of information," says Mr Gilfillan. "It is the reverse."
"The whole point of freedom of information legislation is to open Governments to public scrutiny, so they are more accountable to the people who elect them. "Accountability is not achieved by letting merely one more person into the ‘inner circle.’ I will not be compromised by agreeing to receive public information in this manner. I want the knowledge shared with the public who have paid for it.
"Ratepayers paid $117,000 for the Ove Arup consultants report. They have a right to know what it contains; the reasons why the Council has backed down on its previous insistence on retractable light towers for Adelaide Oval.
"My freedom of information request for this document was initially denied by a single officer, and now the refusal has been confirmed by the full council. Nevertheless, I will be pursuing the option of an external review by the Ombudsman.
"I have also placed a second Freedom of Information request with Council, seeking a copy of the new contract which SACA Chief Executive Michael Deare says has now been signed for four new permanent light towers.
Meanwhile, I am also preparing a private members Bill, to amend SA’s Freedom of Information legislation.
"As I have highlighted in the parliament, there are far too many opportunities in the legislation to claim exemptions for documents which should be available to all the public, in the public interest.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Ian Gilfillan
See Ian Gilfillan's two recent questions in Parliament
about Freedom of Information:
2 May 2000 and 27 June 2000
