Who should attend

Employees who have attended our 'Introduction to FOI' course, or have equivalent training or experience in another FOI jurisdiction and FOI decision-makers, in particular, will benefit from attending.

Course outline

This course is designed to significantly advance the knowledge and skills of FOI decision makers and practitioners in assessing whether documents ought to be exempt from release.

Four different scenarios have been written to cover in detail all exemptions commonly in issue when making FOI decisions. Each scenario focuses on 1 of 4 themes:

  • documents of a particular type
  • the effect of release of documents
  • protection of essential public interests
  • protection of private interests.

Decisions are to be written for each scenario.

Participants choose which aspects they would like to explore and then work through the particular scenarios in like-minded groups with the presenter. This is a hands-on course and the participants will prepare documents and make decisions in these matters. A manual containing material on the exemption provisions is provided.

Most importantly, the presenter's considerable practical experience in FOI matters will help FOI decision-makers and practitioners to become familiar with the best way of approaching decisions on the applicability of exemption provisions.

Objectives

Participants will have a good understanding of the exemption provisions of the FOI Act and be able to identify issues and make good decisions on the applicability of exemption provisions.

Presenters

Our presenters are AGS lawyers who have a great depth of knowledge of the government environment and who practise extensively in the areas of information access and administrative law.

Duration

This is a 1-day course delivered online. This course offers 6 CPD points.

Cost

Standard fee – $920 (inclusive of GST) per person. No more than 20 people will be accepted on each course, and courses will only be conducted if we receive sufficient nominations.