At intervals of not more than 12 months, each
agency is required to ensure that an up-to-date information statement
about the agency is published (sections 96 and 97 of the FOI Act).
- Agencies have the option of publishing the requirements
prescribed to be included in the Information Statement either as a
stand-alone document or incorporated in its Annual Report.
- * Where an Information Statement is produced as a stand-alone
document, reference to its existence and details of how it can be
inspected or purchased should also be contained in the agency's
Annual Report.
- Each agency must make a copy of its Information Statement
available for inspection and/or purchase at its major offices
including those at regional centres.
If the Information Statement previously submitted
has not changed, it is sufficient to comply with the requirements of
the FOI Act, to notify the Information Commissioner that the
Information Statement has been reviewed and it is still current. Where
minor amendments are made to an agency’s existing information
statement, copies of the amended pages can be forwarded in lieu of the
entire document, if feasible.
In the Information Commissioner’s 2002 Annual
Report, the Commissioner noted and supported the publication of
Information Statements and internal manuals online. Many agency web
sites now utilise this method of publication which is another way of
ensuring that the public has access to the information it needs to
effectively use FOI.
