Despite the far-reaching implications of the recommendations made by the Copyright Law Review Committee in its final Crown Copyright report in April 2005, little attention, either academic or otherwise, has been given to these suggested changes. Given the increasing emphasis on the importance of reusability of government information, the ramifications of the CLRC recommendations must...

OECD governments have agreed on this new framework for co-operation in the enforcement of privacy laws. The initiative is motivated by a recognition that changes in the character and volume of cross-border data flows have elevated privacy risks for individuals and highlighted the need for better cooperation among the authorities charged with providing them protection.

From the outset, the NSW Freedom of Information Act 1989 has been subject to amendment and criticism. While its introduction was accompanied by high expectations about improved democratic accountability, for many its actual operation has proved inadequate. Gareth Griffith surveys the major issues in FOI debate, along with the recent developments in this area of...

How have those involved in the political process, including government, political parties, MPs and civil society groups used new technology ask Peter Chen, Rachel Gibson and Karin Geiselhart. On the one hand there is the potential for increased big brother surveillance of citizens, on the other for broader citizen participation and interactivity in the policy...

Expanding on the issue of protection of journalists' sources, Helen Ester looks at a range of factors affecting the Press Gallery's role in public accountability. These include not only government pursuit of whistleblowers but also a weak freedom of information regime making journalists overly dependent on leaks, and a hollowing out of the press gallery...