Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current ActsNo. 9859 of 1982
Version incorporating amendments as at
26 April
2023
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Version No. 111
Freedom of Information Act 1982
No. 9859 of 1982
Version incorporating amendments as at
26 April
2023
Endnotes
1 General information
See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 was assented to on 5 January 1983 and came into operation as follows:
All of Act (except Part 2) on 5 July 1983: section 1(2); Part 2 on 5 July 1984: section 1(3).
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other
material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See
section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 by Acts and subordinate instruments.
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Freedom of Information Act 1982, No. 9859/1982
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Assent Date: |
5.1.83 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 73(4) inserted on 26.4.21 by No. 11/2021 s. 149: s. 2(2) |
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Note: |
S. 73(4) repealed s. 73 on 26.4.23 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Public Service (Amendment) Act 1984, No. 10046/1984
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Assent Date: |
1.5.84 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 32 on 20.6.84: Government Gazette 13.6.84 p. 1886 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Revision Act 1984, No. 10087/1984
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Assent Date: |
22.5.84 |
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Commencement Date: |
22.5.84: subject to s. 3(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Adoption Act 1984, No. 10150/1984
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Assent Date: |
13.11.84 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 3(1)(Sch.) on 16.11.87: Government Gazette 28.10.87 p. 2880 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1984, No. 10155/1984
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Assent Date: |
20.11.84 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 67 on 1.3.85: Government Gazette 30.1.85 p. 191 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Infertility (Medical Procedures) Act 1984, No. 10163/1984 (as amended by No. 86/1987)
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Assent Date: |
20.11.84 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 34 on 1.7.88: Government Gazette 4.5.88 p. 1123 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Health (Amendment) Act 1985, No. 10262/1985
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Assent Date: |
10.12.85 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 4(Sch.) on 1.3.86: Government Gazette 26.2.86 p. 451 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Local Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1989, No. 12/1989
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Assent Date: |
9.5.89 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 4(1)(Sch. 2 items 46.1, 46.2) on 1.11.89: Government Gazette 1.11.89 p. 2798 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 1990, No. 84/1990
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Assent Date: |
11.12.90 |
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Commencement Date: |
11.12.90: s. 2 |
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Current State: |
All of Act in operation |
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 1993, No. 58/1993 (as amended by No. 7/1993)
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Assent Date: |
8.6.93 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 1–6, 8–15 on 8.6.93: s. 2(1); s. 7 on 1.7.93: s. 2(2); ss 16–25 on 1.1.94: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
All of Act in operation |
Public Sector Management (Amendment) Act 1993, No. 97/1993
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Assent Date: |
16.11.93 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 44 on 16.11.93: s. 2(4) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Medical Practice Act 1994, No. 23/1994
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Assent Date: |
17.5.94 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 118(Sch. 1 items 22.1, 22.2) on 1.7.94: Government Gazette 23.6.94 p. 1672 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Legal Practice Act 1996, No. 35/1996
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Assent Date: |
6.11.96 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 453(Sch. 1 item 34) on 1.1.97: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998
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Assent Date: |
26.5.98 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Tribunals and Licensing Authorities (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 2/1998
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Assent Date: |
2.6.98 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 311(Sch. 1 item 32) on 1.7.98: Government Gazette 18.6.98 p. 1512 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Public Sector Reform (Further Amendments) Act 1999, No. 12/1999
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Assent Date: |
11.5.99 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 4(Sch. 2 item 5) on 11.5.99: s. 2(1) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 1999, No. 38/1999
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Assent Date: |
8.6.99 |
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Commencement Date: |
1.7.99: s. 2 |
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Current State: |
All of Act in operation |
Freedom of Information (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1999, No. 57/1999
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Assent Date: |
21.12.99 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Revision Act 2000, No. 74/2000
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Assent Date: |
21.11.00 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Health Records Act 2001, No. 2/2001
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Assent Date: |
10.4.01 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 101, 102 on 1.7.02: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Corporations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001, No. 44/2001
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Assent Date: |
27.6.01 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 3(Sch. item 50) on 15.7.01: s. 2 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003, No. 7/2003
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Assent Date: |
15.4.03 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Monetary Units Act 2004, No. 10/2004
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Assent Date: |
11.5.04 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 15(Sch. 1 item 9) on 1.7.04: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004
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Assent Date: |
21.12.04 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 84) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2005, No. 18/2005
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Assent Date: |
24.5.05 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 18(Sch. 1 item 45) on 12.12.05: Government Gazette 1.12.05 p. 2781 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Health Professions Registration Act 2005, No. 97/2005
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Assent Date: |
7.12.05 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 182(Sch. 4 item 22) on 1.7.07: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2006, No. 29/2006
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Assent Date: |
6.6.06 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Terrorism (Community Protection) (Further Amendment) Act 2006, No. 30/2006
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Assent Date: |
6.6.06 |
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Commencement Date: |
|
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008, No. 76/2008
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Assent Date: |
11.12.08 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 155 on 1.1.10: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Amendment (Evidence Consequential Provisions) Act 2009, No. 69/2009
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Assent Date: |
24.11.09 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 54(Sch. Pt 1 item 26) on 1.1.10: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Amendment (National Health Practitioner Regulation) Act 2010, No. 13/2010
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Assent Date: |
30.3.10 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 51(Sch. item 25) on 1.7.10: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Freedom of Information Amendment (Freedom of Information Commissioner) Act 2012, No. 6/2012 (as amended by No. 82/2012)
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Assent Date: |
6.3.12 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 4, 6, 8, 33 on 7.11.12: Special Gazette (No. 373) 7.11.12 p. 1; ss 5, 7, 9–32, 34, 35 on 1.12.12: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Revision Act 2012, No. 43/2012
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Assent Date: |
27.6.12 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 3(Sch. item 20) on 28.6.12: s. 2(1) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2012, No. 82/2012
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Assent Date: |
18.12.12 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 252 on 10.2.13: Special Gazette (No. 32) 6.2.13 p. 2 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Statute Law Revision Act 2013, No. 70/2013
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Assent Date: |
19.11.13 |
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Commencement Date: |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Court Services Victoria Act 2014, No. 1/2014
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Assent Date: |
11.2.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, No. 17/2014
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Assent Date: |
25.3.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 160(Sch. 2 item 45) on 1.7.15: Special Gazette (No. 151) 16.6.15 p. 1 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014
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Assent Date: |
3.6.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 10(Sch. item 69) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Freedom of Information and Victorian Inspectorate Acts Amendment Act 2014, No. 59/2014
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Assent Date: |
2.9.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, No. 60/2014
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Assent Date: |
2.9.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 140(Sch. 3 item 20) on 17.9.14: Special Gazette (No. 317) 16.9.14 p. 1 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Inquiries Act 2014, No. 67/2014
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Assent Date: |
23.9.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 147(Sch. 2 item 18) on 15.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 364) 14.10.14 p. 2 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Emergency Management Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Resilience) Act 2014, No. 76/2014
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Assent Date: |
21.10.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Sex Offenders Registration Amendment Act 2014, No. 82/2014
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Assent Date: |
21.10.14 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 29 on 1.6.15: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Health Complaints Act 2016, No. 22/2016
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Assent Date: |
3.5.16 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 171–176 on 1.2.17: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Freedom of Information Amendment (Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner) Act 2017, No. 20/2017
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Assent Date: |
16.5.17 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 4–77 on 1.9.17: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Family Violence Protection Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2017, No. 23/2017[2]
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Assent Date: |
14.6.17 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 28–30 on 1.9.17: s. 2(3)‒(5); ss 23–27 on 26.2.18: Special Gazette (No. 40) 6.2.18 p. 1 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Children Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2018, No. 11/2018
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Assent Date: |
10.4.18 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 33–37, 44, 45 on 27.9.18: Special Gazette (No. 405) 4.9.18 p. 1 |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment (Public Interest Disclosures, Oversight and Independence) Act 2019, No. 2/2019
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Assent Date: |
5.3.19 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 195, 198–201 on 6.3.19: s. 2(1); ss 108–110 on 31.12.19: Special Gazette (No. 537) 17.12.19 p. 1; ss 142–144 on 1.1.20: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020
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Assent Date: |
24.3.20 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 390(Sch. 1 item 44.1) on 6.4.20; s. 390(Sch. 1 item 44.3) on 1.5.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1; s. 390(Sch. 1 item 44.2) on 24.10.20: s. 2(3)(f) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Justice Legislation Amendment (System Enhancements and Other Matters) Act 2021, No. 11/2021
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Assent Date: |
23.3.21 |
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Commencement Date: |
Ss 140–149 on 26.4.21: s. 2(2) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2022, No. 13/2022
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Assent Date: |
29.3.22 |
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Commencement Date: |
S. 67 on 30.3.22: s. 2(3) |
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Current State: |
This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Freedom of Information Act 1982 |
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3 Explanatory details
[1] S. 51(2): The amendment proposed by section 43(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Amendment (Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner) Act 2017, No. 20/2017 (repealed) is not included in this publication as the words "office of the Freedom of Information Commissioner" do not appear in section 51.
Section 43(3)(b) read as follows:
43 Information Commissioner may be called on to assist Tribunal
(3) In section 51 of the Principal Act—
(b) for "office of the Freedom of Information Commissioner" substitute "Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner".
[2] Table of Amendments (Family Violence Protection Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2017): The amendment proposed by section 30 of the Family Violence Protection Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2017, No. 23/2017 (repealed) is not included in this publication because section 49P(3A) was not part of this Act when section 30 of the amending Act came into operation.
Section 30 read as follows:
30 Decision on review
In section 49P(3A) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, for "Freedom of Information Commissioner" substitute "Information Commissioner".