Welcome to the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet's
Freedom of Information Unit
The proclamation of the Freedom of Information Act 1992 (WA) ("the FOI Act") in November 1993 created a legal right of access to documents held by all State and Local Government agencies (Section 10).
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet's FOI Unit coordinates the receipt and processing of all FOI applications relating to the Department and the Office of the Premier.
In a comprehensive review of the administration of the FOI Act, the Information Commissioner recommended that “Ministers may wish to explore with the Department the option of a more formal shared capability to assist their offices in dealing with FOI applications, noting that responsibility for decisions on access must remain with the relevant Minister.”
As at 23 January 2012, the FOI Unit began providing support for the coordination and processing of FOI applications in Ministerial Offices.
State government ministerial offices are separate agencies under the FOI Act and FOI applications relating to those agencies must still be forwarded directly to the relevant ministerial office. The responsibility for decisions on access remains with the relevant Minister.
The FOI Unit is also available to provide advice to Departmental staff and ministerial offices as required.