Government Information (Public Access) - Introduction & Advanced

Price: $693 incl GST
Duration: 9am-3.30pm

The objective of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 is to make certain sorts of government information freely available to the public without the need for an access application.

The first half of the course is designed for staff and stakeholders who need to be aware of GIPA and its implications, but don’t need to understand the Act in intimate detail.

The second half of this workshop will provide detailed information and discussion on particular elements of the GIPA in order to hone your knowledge in areas that are either complex or new to access of council information.

Section 1 Content - Introduction
As an example of what will be covered in the workshop, the following topics will be addressed:

• Background to GIPA
• Key provisions
• Open access information
• Proactive release
• Informal release
• Formal access applications
• Ancillary provisions
• Implications for agency staff

Section 2 Content - Advanced
As an example of what will be covered in the workshop, the following issues will be addressed:

• A review of public interest consideration against disclosure: section 14(2)
• Informal release of information
• Additional open access information for councils: schedule 5 clause 3
• GIPA Act overrides secrecy provisions in other legislation
• Effect of policy documents not being publicly available: section 24
• Contracts register: section 32 schedule 4, schedule 3 clause 5, section 121
• Restraint orders: section 110
• Agency-initiated transfers: sections 45 & 48
• Amending an application: section 49
• Searches for information: sections 53 & 60(3) & (4)
• Consultation: sections 54 & 55
• Objection to inclusion of information in disclosure log: section 56
• Forms of access: sections 72 – 74
• Deferral of access: section 78
• Review of an internal review: sections 88, 93(2)
• Protections and offences: sections 113 – 120 & 128
• Reports: section 125
• Regulation: section 132 & schedule 5.

Who should attend?
GIPA/FoI/Privacy officers, public affairs officers, governance managers and senior staff.

It will benefit senior managers, line/department managers, front line customer service staff, procurement and contract management personnel and other staff who may be called upon to provide agency information to the public.

Course Benefits
Ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and understanding of their responsibilities under GIPA. Reduce the chances of non-compliance and any resulting consequences.

Process
The facilitator will use group discussions, council case studies and local government-oriented examples, to help you transfer your learning to the workplace.

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