We are living in the Information Age!  Governments and the private sector collect and hold vast amounts of information and we each disclose information about ourselves on an almost daily basis.  How much control do we, as individuals, have over information that relates to us?  What are the limits to providing access to government held information?  On what grounds can information be shared, released, withheld and stored?
The aim of this course is to explore the way in which information is regulated in Australia by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The course will explore contemporary issues regarding government information management in the Australian regulatory framework. The role of confidentiality and legislative secrecy provisions, the requirements relating to personal information and other elements of privacy protection, and the operation of the FOI Act will all be examined.

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify, analyse and reflect on the circumstances in which information developed or held by government should be protected against disclosure
2. Identify and apply the principles relating to the procedure for making a FOI request, the FOI decision making process and the application of exemptions from disclose of government held information
3. Explain, distinguish and apply the key concepts of the Privacy framework applicable to government.
4. Identify and critically examine (in written and/or oral form) a range of perspectives and values that are relevant to access to government information, including the future direction of FOI and privacy law in Australia
5. Investigate and critically discuss whether Australia’s regulatory module is equipped to respond to contemporary issues in information management, data protection and privacy

Required Resources

Reading lists will be provided on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback on submitted assessments.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Word length and excess word penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Further information about the course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Topic 1. Freedom of Information: history and philosophical underpinnings – normative foundations of openness of publicly held information
2	Topic 1. Freedom of Information: history and philosophical underpinnings - genesis of FOIA 1982 (Cth)
3	Topic 2. Freedom of Information: the law - overview, purposes, principles and structure; request procedure
4	Topic 2. Freedom of Information: the law - decision-making process
5	Topic 2. Freedom of Information: the law - exemptions
6	Topic 2. Freedom of Information: the law - contemporary issues and future direction
7	Topic 3. Privacy: history and philosophical underpinnings - normative foundations of privacy protection
8	Topic 3. Privacy: history and philosophical underpinnings - genesis of Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
9	Topic 4. Privacy: the law - overview, purposes, principles and structure
10	Topic 4. Privacy: the law - key concepts
11	Topic 4. Privacy: the law - key concepts
12	Topic 4. Privacy: the law - key concepts
13	Topic 4. Privacy: the law - contemporary issues and future direction

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Freedom of Information assignment	25 %	19/10/2020	23/10/2020	1-5
Privacy assignment	25 %	06/11/2020	13/11/2020	1-5
Research essay	50 %	27/11/2020	18/12/2020	1-5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

For all courses taught in intensive mode, the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the graduate program and students are required to attend ALL classes (and all of each class).

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be granted permission by the Course Convenor, in consultation with the Stream Convenor or Director, LLM Program, to miss some classes, provided:

a.      it does not exceed a maximum of 25% of the classes;

b.      permission is requested in advance; and

c.       the request is supported, where appropriate, by adequate documentation.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in a student receiving the grade of NCN (non-complete fail). The normal pressures of work or planned personal trips do not constitute exceptional circumstances to justify an exemption from full compliance of this policy.

Assessment Task 1

Freedom of Information assignment

Students will provide structured, written legal advice on a problem involving FOIA. Students will do this by answering a fictional fact-situation involving various issues arising under FOIA. Students are expected to demonstrate critical, independent and innovative reasoning in response to the legal issues, in addition to providing accurate legal advice and persuasive arguments on relevant areas of liability. Students must submit their completed assignment using Turnitin by the due date and due time.

Nature of assessment: Compulsory; non-completion of this task will result in a mark of 0/25.

Release: The question is available on Wattle from 21 September 2020.

Due date: Monday 19 October 2020, by 5pm. Late submissions without an extension are permitted, although late penalties will apply. Any late penalties will be calculated by reference to the submission through Turnitin.

Word limit: 2,000 words maximum, excluding non-substantive footnotes. This means footnotes which provide citations are not counted in the word-limit. However, footnotes not providing citation (ie adding substantive text to the essay) are counted in the word-limit.

Assessment Criteria: Assignments will be graded according to how well students: 

• make accurate use of relevant legal material; 
• structure the written advice in a clear manner; 
• use concise expression; 
• adequately address the relevant issue(s); 
• draw appropriately upon independent research; 
• demonstrate critical, independent and innovative reasoning, and make a persuasive argument; and
• comply with the current edition of the AGLC.

Assessment Task 2

Privacy assignment

Students will provide structured, written legal advice on a problem involving the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Students will do this by answering a fictional fact-situation involving various issues arising under the Privacy Act. Students are expected to demonstrate critical, independent and innovative reasoning in response to the legal issues, in addition to providing accurate legal advice and persuasive arguments on relevant areas of liability. Students must submit their completed assignment using Turnitin by the due date and due time.

Nature of assessment: Compulsory; non-completion of this task will result in a mark of 0/25.

Release: The question is available on Wattle from 21 September 2020.

Due date: Friday 6 November 2020, by 5pm. Late submissions without an extension are permitted, although late penalties will apply. Any late penalties will be calculated by reference to the submission through Turnitin.

Word limit: 2,000 words maximum, excluding non-substantive footnotes. This means footnotes which provide citations are not counted in the word-limit. However, footnotes not providing citation (ie adding substantive text to the essay) are counted in the word-limit.

Assessment Criteria: Assignments will be graded according to how well students: 

• make accurate use of relevant legal material; 
• structure the written advice in a clear manner; 
• use concise expression; 
• adequately address the relevant issue(s); 
• draw appropriately upon independent research; 
• demonstrate critical, independent and innovative reasoning, and make a persuasive argument; and
• comply with the current edition of the AGLC.

Assessment Task 3

Research essay

Students will write a research essay answering a question of their choosing and approved by the Convenor. Students must submit their completed essays using Turnitin by the due date and due time.

Nature of assessment: Compulsory; non-completion of this task will result in a mark of 0/50.

Question for approval: You must submit your chosen question for approval by the Convenor by Monday 26 October 2020, 5pm. You must submit your question by email to the Convenor. Your submission must include a plan for your essay, including the rudimentary structure and a preliminary literature list. 

Due date: Friday 27 November 2020, by 5pm. Late submissions without an extension are permitted, although late penalties will apply. Any late penalties will be calculated by reference to the submission through Turnitin.

Word limit: 4,000 words maximum, excluding non-substantive footnotes. This means footnotes which provide citations are not counted in the word-limit. However, footnotes not providing citation (ie adding substantive text to the essay) are counted in the word-limit.

Assessment Criteria: Research essays will be graded according to how well students: 

• make accurate use of relevant legal material; 
• structure the essay in a clear manner; 
• use concise expression; 
• adequately address the relevant issue(s); 
• draw appropriately upon independent research; 
• demonstrate critical, independent and innovative reasoning, and make a persuasive argument; and
• comply with the current edition of the AGLC.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submission is possible where approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students