The Kiwi Paradox - A Comparison of Freedom of Information in Australia and New Zealand
Federal Law Review Vol 28 No. 3, 2000, 575-616
43 Pages Posted: 18 Dec 2014
Date Written: December 16, 2000
Abstract
New Zealand has been more successful in implementing a working FOI scheme than Australia, despite the opposite seeming likely when they were adopted in the early 1980s. When evaluated it is apparent that the New Zealand legislation has resulted in higher levels of government openness, which is largely due to differences in the original design principles. This paper demonstrates how divergences in historical origins, choice of exceptions, the role of public interest, processes of review and the administration of the Acts are responsible for the significantly different outcomes. It aims to encourage and provide scope for further comparative study between the operation of FOI in Australia and New Zealand.
Keywords: Official Information Act, FOI, New Zealand, comparative study
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