Australia-first record keeping legislation passes through Lower House

14/09/00
Public record keeping in Western Australia is on track to becoming the most accountable in the nation with the passage yesterday of the State Government's State Records Bill through the Legislative Assembley.
Arts Minister Mike Board said the long-awaited State Records Bill and the State Records (Consequential Provisions) Bill would enshrine in law record keeping practices designed to ensure accountability and transparency in local and State Government agencies.
It was the first legislation in Australia where an independent record keeping authority had a direct reporting role to Parliament.

"The Coalition Government introduced these Bills to Parliament as a result of a recommendation of the Commission on Government, established in 1994 to investigate a range of matters that emerged during the WA Inc Royal Commission relating to Parliamentary matters and public administration," Mr Board said.
"From the point of view of accountability and transparency, this is a most effective piece of legislation that will add greatly to the democratic process in our State.
"The Government has been very keen to see this Bill enacted and I must commend the Opposition for the support of its members in helping the legislation pass through the Lower House."
The legislation, which replaces the archival provisions of the Library Board of Western Australia Act, also will require records of historical value to be set aside for permanent preservation.
The Bill will see an Independent State Records Commission established with a standard-setting and regulatory role and a requirement to report regularly to Parliament on the performance of Government organisations in record keeping matters.
This body will comprise four members appointed by the Governor - the Auditor General, Information Commissioner, the Ombudsman and a person with record keeping experience from outside Government.
The legislation requires State and local government agencies to formulate record keeping plans and submit them to the commission.
Mr Board said the plans would determine the periods of time for which records would need to be kept and would identify those records of archival value.

The new legislation formally establishes the State Records Office, which will be headed by a director of State Records.
The existing State Records Office will continue operating under the legislation as part of the Library and Information Service, where it is presently situated.
Heavy penalties apply for a range of offences associated with record keeping, including the unauthorised destruction of records.

Media contact: Tamatha Smith, 9222 9211