JLP's Mair promises to push gov't for amendments to Information Act

Opposition Member of Parliament Gregory Mair says he will be relentless in his push for the government to adopt a report to make amendments to the Access to Information Act.

Mair made the declaration in parliament yesterday as he expressed disappointment that there has been no movement on the report since it was approved by the House of Representatives in April 2011.

The Act which was passed in 2002 and built into the legislation is to be reviewed after three years.

The law was reviewed by a joint select committee of parliament and a report submitted to the Lower House.

Responding to questions posed by Mair, Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Phillip Paulwell, said there is no draft bill to amend the Act.

Mair expressed disappointment that there has been no action in the past four years.

He stressed that the Access to Information Act is critical for good governance and should be given similar priority as other pieces of legislation such as the recently passed Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act which decriminalised the possession and use of small quantities of ganja.

The opposition MP says he will continue to push the matter until the government acts.