Postgraduate - UnitLAW5317 - Principles of privacy and freedom of information

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Law
Offered	Not offered in 2015

Notes

For postgraduate Law discontinuation dates, please see http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/postgraduate/pg-disc-dates.html
For postgraduate Law unit timetables, please see http://law.monash.edu.au/current-students/course-unit-information/timetables/postgraduate/index.html
Previously coded as LAW7076

Quota applies

Postgraduate programs are based on a model of small group teaching and therefore class sizes need to be restricted.

Synopsis

The unit provides a comprehensive and critical examination of current issues relating to laws which affect public information in the possession of, or generated by, the federal and Victorian governments (including statutory authorities and municipalities). While a key focus is on freedom of information and privacy laws, it also includes discussion of statutory requirements to provide reasons for decisions, public access to hearings and meetings, freedom of information, breach of confidence, public interest immunity, legal professional privilege, Crown copyright, statutory secrecy provisions and privacy.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

apply knowledge and understanding of the laws which regulate access to Australian government information with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning;
investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to the diverse laws which regulate or affect public access to Australian government information;
conduct research in government information law based on knowledge of appropriate research principle and methods; and
use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to the diverse laws which regulate or affect public access to Australian government information.

Assessment

Research assignment (5,250 words): 70%:
Take-home examination (2,250 words): 30%

Workload requirements

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements). Students will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.