Ombudsman Says Information Law Is Urgent

The outgoing Ombudsman, Connie Lau, has called on the government to urgently introduce a freedom of information law.

Without such a law, she says, government departments and public bodies can withhold information without consequences – even when the government watchdog requests that they hand over the information.

"Now we do not have particular legislation on the provision of information," Lau said. "Even if the Ombudsman carries out a study and requests that the government department or public body concerned should give that information to the requestor, that department or public body could refuse to do so and they are not liable to any fine or penalty.

"We do think it is very urgent for the government to legislate."

However Lau said there had been improvements in the way government departments handle complaints.

She said government departments used to shirk responsibility when complaints involved different bureax, but now they try not to pass complainants from pillar to post.

Lau's term of office ends later this month and she will be replaced by former deputy police commissioner, Winnie Chiu.