The Official Information Act 2008 is a Cook Islands law passed to "make official information more freely available, [and] to establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes." The Act also repealed the Official Secrets Act 1951, which the Cook Islands had inherited from New Zealand.
The law was introduced into the Cook Islands Parliament on 12 February 2008, and passed two days later. It came into force on 11 February 2009.
Summary of the Act
The law is heavily based on the New Zealand Official Information Act 1982. As in New Zealand, the definition of "official information" is extremely broad, covering any information held by a Ministry, a Minister in their official capacity, or a scheduled organisation. Information held by the courts, tribunals, commissions of inquiry, or investigative material held by the Ombudsman's office is excluded. Unlike New Zealand, the law applies to "any companies in which 50% or more of the shares are owned by the Crown," allowing the operations of crown-owned assets to be effectively monitored.
The Official Information Act 1982 is a New Zealand law which replaced the Official Secrets Act of 1951 which made the release of information held by Government agencies an offence. The Official Information Act takes the opposite approach and is designed to promote access to information held by various Government agencies. Its guiding principle is that information should be made available unless a good reason exists under the Act for withholding it.
Requests to Government Departments or State agencies for information are supposed to be answered within 20 working days. If an agency declines to provide the information, it must provide a reason and advise the requester that they have the right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate whether or not that decision is justified under the provisions of the Act.
Background
Prior to 1982, reflecting New Zealand's colonial heritage, there was a perception that official information belonged to “the Queen and her advisers”. This perception was codified in the Official Secrets Act and earlier pieces of legislation, whereby official information was kept secret unless a particular decision was made to release it. In the latter half of the twentieth century, increased concern for human rights internationally favoured more open government and the introduction of greater control over state agencies. Freedom of information legislation was passed in many countries around the world as attitudes to government and the administration of public power began to change.
... Riyaz from Lonavala, officials said ... A Look OutCircular had been issued for him, an official stated. Acting on specific information, a team from the EOW arrested Riyaz in Lonavala on Monday afternoon.
A document released by the troopers notes that the deaths have been ruled a homicide and -- based on information gathered through "dozens of interviews" -- law enforcement officials believe the murders were not a random act of violence.
... to the public, advising against sharing personal and financial information on unsecured online platforms, whilst cautioning about schemes promising substantial returns with minimal investment.
'He was also under the impression that the building was empty and did not expect that somebody would come in to investigate the odour, so he continued with the act without any hindrance,' the official added.
... to be open in providing information to parliament and the general public, and added that the Act goes on to state that public officials must be inspired and guided by the value of transparency.
The superintendent will also review requests for student information from federal immigration officials to ensure compliance with the Family Educational Rights and PrivacyAct, the federal law that ...
The investigation is underway,” the official said.Dharmveer Singh, district inspector of schools, informed that the centre is registered under the UP Coaching Regulations Act.
The $72m spend was outlined in documents obtained under the OfficialInformationAct, with the cost-cutting proposal aimed at saving $100m a year after Government orders to make savings ahead of a ...
"And then we're supposed to act like money doesn't — only affects Republicans? Give me a f---ing break." ... The STOCKAct of 2012 bars members of Congress from trading on material, nonpublic information acquired through their official positions.
EU officials said last week that they ordered X to turn over more information as part of a Digital Services Act investigation into the social media platform, including on the algorithms used by its recommendationr system.
A second appeal was filed with the commission on Apr 11, 2023, under Section 19 of the Right to InformationAct, 2005.An official, an inspector, appeared on behalf of the respondent, but was unaware of the facts.
EU officials said last week that they ordered X to turn over more information as part of a Digital Services Act investigation into the social media platform, including on the algorithms used by its recommendationr system.
In the lawsuit, the ACLU argues an "obscure federal regulation" lets Michigan county jails refuse to provide documents under the state's Freedom of InformationAct, arguing ICE does not want them disclosed.
Fox31 Denver
23 Jan 2025
Fox31 Denver
23 Jan 2025