[LINK] Dr James Popple appointed Government FOI Commissioner

[Tom Worthington]

Dr James Popple has been appointed the first FOI Commissioner: 
<http://www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/www/ministers/oconnor.nsf/Page/MediaReleases_2010_FourthQuarter_29October2010-InauguralFOICommissionerappointed>.

Amongst his other roles, James is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of
Computer Science at the Australian National University. So I guess I 
know where to get help with my new e-data course: 
<http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7420/>. ;-)


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THE HON BRENDAN O'CONNOR MP
MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND JUSTICE
MINISTER FOR PRIVACY AND F.O.I.

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 29 October 2010

Inaugural FOI Commissioner appointed

Minister for Privacy and Freedom of Information Brendan O'Connor today
announced Australia's first Freedom of Information Commissioner will be
Dr James Popple .

"Dr Popple's appointment signals a new era of transparency and
accountability in Australian government when it comes to freedom of
information.

"The newly created role of FOI Commissioner underscores Labor's
commitment to improve public access to information across the federal
government," Mr O'Connor said.

Dr Popple is currently First Assistant Secretary of the Civil Law
Division of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department and an
Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Computer Science at the Australian
National University.

"Dr Popple has a strong administrative law background and extensive
experience providing legal and policy advice to government," Mr O'Connor
said.

"Added to this, his experience in academia and the public service stands
him in good stead for this important and challenging new role.

"Dr Popple will also bring a commitment to these important reforms and
an understanding that information held by government is a national
resource to be managed for public purposes."

The Australian Information Commissioner, supported by the Privacy
Commissioner and FOI Commissioner, will be a specialist independent
monitor with the power to review FOI decisions and investigate complaints.

Dr Popple will start work as FOI Commissioner on 1 November, along with
Privacy Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim and the Australian Information
Commissioner Professor John McMillan AO. ...

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-- 
Tom Worthington FACS CP HLM, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science, The
Australian National University http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/