A JUMP in the number of freedom of information requests directed at the City of Bunbury since the new council was elected is a result of frustration over a “lack of transparency” and a “failure to engage with the community in making its decisions.”
The comments, which come from South West MLC Adele Farina, follow a significant increase in requests from eight in the 2012/13 financial year to 30 last year.
Mr Brennan responded to the criticism by saying all other local MPs he had spoken to with constituents in Bunbury had expressed satisfaction with council since last year’s election.
Freedom of information is a law which allows anyone to request non-public information from a government agency, like the City.
Ms Farina described the process as a “last resort” as it is technical, slow and can be costly to the applicant.
The Bunbury Mail understands Ms Farina lodged 16 requests over the past 12 months.
There were 15 applicants in total.
Ms Farina defended her actions, saying she had been forced to turn to freedom of information claims following Mr Brennan’s recent decision to reduce their bimonthly meetings to one per year “while meeting weekly with his former boss and Liberal colleague John Castrilli.”
Mr Brennan confirmed that he now met with Ms Farina once per year.
“I alternate six-monthly meetings with opposition MLC for South West the honourable Sally Talbot and the honourable Adele Farina,” Mr Brennan said.
“I understand the political intent of her comments as I suspect many others in our community do.”
Ms Talbot’s electorate takes in the South West, Peel and part of the Greater Southern, while Ms Farina represents the local South West region.
City of Bunbury chief executive officer Andrew Brien said seven claims were refused last financial year.
He said fees paid at time of application were refunded by the City.
But Ms Farina said she had a “word of warning” for Bunbury residents lodging requests.
She said the City had sought to charge her $840 to access information under one request, which she successfully challenged with the Information Commissioner.
“So residents should lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner if they believe the City is charging unreasonable fees to access information,” she said.
There are currently two requests pending with the City.
