Scientists criticise information bill

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 11

Scientists criticise information bill

PA Wellington The Association of Scientists has said that the Official Information Bill will do little to free information to the public unless it is amended considerably. In a submission to a select committee, the association attacked the sections in the bill which say that "conclusive reasons for withholding information” are the security, defence, or international relations of. New Zealand, and the “substantial economic interests” of New Zealand. The words, "international relations.” should be replaced by “foreign policy,” the association suggested. It said that the phrase; "substantial economic interests."

had too wide an interpretation and called for it to be amended. In summary, the association criticises the bill because: ® It does not provide any penalties for non-compliance by the public servant who refuses or incorrectly releases official information, or wrongly classifies public information so that it remains ■secret, or destroys or otherwise alters public information. © The scope of the law is far too narrow, and does, not override many existing acts. • All local bodies are exempt from the effects of the legislation. ® Ministers have the final veto on access to information.