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What is the Freedom of Information Act 1992?

The Queensland Freedom of Information Act 1992 does several things:

  • It confers a right of access to documents held by an agency. Access may be refused or limited by the Act itself in some cases.
  • It also confers a right to have information concerning a person's personal affairs amended if it is incomplete, inaccurate, out-of-date or misleading.
  • Agencies must publish Statements of Affairs, which explain what they do, what documents they hold and how members of the public can access those documents.
  • Agencies must also make copies of their policy documents available for inspection and purchase by members of the public. (Many agencies do this by placing relevant policies and procedures on their websites.)

The FOI Act applies to Queensland Ministers, Queensland Government departments, local councils and most semi-government agencies and statutory authorities. It does not apply to documents held by the Commonwealth Government or by other State Governments, or to documents held by private sector organisations. Some GOC's, such as Queensland Rail, are also at least partly excluded, as are Members of Parliament.


Last updated: 07 September 2007