November 22, 2005
To the Freedom of Information Officer
City of Melbourne
Swanston Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Dear Sir/Madam
Pursuant to the Victorian Freedom of Information Act I wish to request the following information.
1. Copy in electronic format of the City of Melbourne's Travel Register covering the period from December 1, 2004 to the current date.
The Council Travel Register was previously available and published by the City of Melbourne on it's internet site.
The previous Council had requested the Travel Register be published on the Council's Internet site as part of its ongoing commitment to open and transparent Governance. It was the intention that the information published would cover the term of the then current council and that the information would be continued to be updated and published on an ongoing basis into the future including future Councils.
The Council administration, in what is considered a cynical move to avoid accountability, has since removed this information for publication without first seeking the authority, consent of resolution of the incumbent elected Council.
The Travel Register is a public document required to be maintained by the Council under the provisions of the Victorian Local Government Act.
The Victorian Parliament believes that this information is important and must be readily available to the public.
A number of request made to the Council seeking the reinstatement and publication of the updated Travel Register on the Council's Internet site has not been addressed with the Council and it's administration failing to respond to numerous correspondence.
The cost of publishing this information is minimal and requires minimal to no additional resources.
The failure of the City of Melbourne Council to address this issue and to publish this information as requested has brought the Council into disrepute in that it is seen as a blatant attempt to avoid disclosure and public accountability contrary to the principles of open and transparent government.
The Council has spent more money and resources in avoidance then the cost of compliance.
In the absence of the Council responding to previous requests I now seek access to this information under the provisions of FoI legislation.
I request that this information be made available with out delay
Further as this information is in the public's interest I request that the Council wavier the FoI application fee required.
Should you require further information I can be contacted via return email
Yours faithfully
Anthony van der Craats
melbcity@gmail.com
Web site: http://melbournecitycouncil.blogspot.com/
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