The words Wells used in 1991 when, as Attorney General he introduced Queensland’s first Freedom of Information legislation, set the bar very high for government openness. His words continue to be quoted often by journalists arguing for more access to information.
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The assumption that information held by Government is secret unless there are reasons to the contrary is to be replaced by the assumption that information held by Government is available unless there are reasons to the contrary. The perception that Government is something remote from the citizen and entitled to keep its processes secret will be replaced by the perception that Government is merely the agent of its citizens, keeping no secrets other than those necessary to perform its functions as an agent.
Queensland Parliamentary Debates 1991 |
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