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Quality and consistency through collaboration

This year International Access to Information Day (IAI Day) falls on 28 September and this year’s theme is ‘Artificial intelligence, e-governance and access to information’. Government agencies have seen an unprecedented number of information access requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) in recent years and looking to the future, the ability to leverage digital tools to collate data will be critical.

In recognition of IAI Day, our team of Information Law specialists have prepared a guidance document outlining practical steps for government agencies to consider for promoting and improving information access.

Information-Access-Day-Placemat

International Access to Information Day 2022

Sparke Helmore’s Information Law team

Sparke Helmore works closely with agencies to provide support and guidance in responding to access requests made under the FOI Act and other access arrangements (such as APP 12 and administrative access). 

Our team undertake a range of functions, including:

  • reviewing and identifying documents which may be suitable for exemption / conditional exemption
  • drafting statements of reasons for decisions (primary and internal review)
  • liaising with delegates and stakeholders
  • advising agencies in external review proceedings undertaken by the OAIC (IC review)
  • acting as solicitor advocate in external review proceedings undertaken by the AAT
  • acting as solicitor advocate in appeals to the Federal Court of Australia (FCA).

In addition to undertaking day-to-day FOI processing, we provide training for both FOI and non-FOI teams on approaches to compliance with the FOI Act and have a suite of templates that can be modified to promote consistency and efficiency in decision making.

Our approach is flexible and scalable to meet the demands of agencies as your needs change. We offer bespoke, fit for purpose solutions which are tailored to provide the right support, at the right time.

About Sparke Helmore

We’ve come a long way since our doors first opened in the Hunter in 1882. We’ve had an office in Sydney since the ‘60s and we recently opened our ninth office in Darwin.

We cover six key areas of law – Corporate & Commercial, Commercial Insurance, Government, Property Environment & Finance, Statutory Lines of Insurance and Workplace – with more than 30 specialised areas of expertise. We’re a truly national, full service and proudly Australian firm that delivers results through deep collaboration with our clients. Wherever our clients need us, that’s where we’ll be.

Covering a big country needs a big team—we’re more than 850 people now and still growing. And in true Australian spirit, we’re friendly, approachable and easy to work with. And when you work with one of us, you get the expertise of all of us.

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