Collaboration
I am very keen to be involved in collaborative research projects with other academics, postgraduates, journalists or government officials. Just contact me at r.snell@utas.edu.au
Research
Most recent articles
“Infrmation Flows – the real art of information management and freedom of information,’ [with Peter Sebina] in Archives and Manuscripts co-author Peter Sebina Vol 35 No. 1 May 2007, 54-81. Article in pdf download 3.8 MB courtsey of Archives and Manuscripts.
"Freedom of Information and Digital Archives" - a conversation on Radio National 4 October 2007. Podcast available from here.
“Australian Ombudsman: A Continual Work in Progress,” inAustralian Administrative Law: Fundamentals, Principles and Doctrinesedited HP Lee and Matthew Groves, Cambridge University Press 2007.
"Three quick steps to enlightened FOI" The Australian.8 October 2007. A PDF copy here.
"Lesson for Canberra in Neighbour's Attitude,"Sydney Morning Herald, page 30, 23 August 2008.
"Failing the Information Game" - feature article for Public Administration Today, January - March 2007 , 5-9. Article in pdf download 5.1 MB reprinted in IQ InfoRMAA Quarterly August 2007, 36-39 download 4 MB (larger range of graphics).
"Freedom of Information Returns to China" Public Administration Today, co-author Weibing Xiao January - March 2007, 44-47. Article in pdf download 3.3 MB
"Freedom of Information Practices" in Agenda A Journal of Policy Analysis and Reform Volume 13 No. 4 2006. See Agenda's website at http://agenda.anu.edu.au Article in pdf download 468 KB
"China joins stampede as the leader falls flat" The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 January 2007
"Open-and-shut case of Tasmanian devilry"The Sydney Morning Herald, 18 January 2007
"The truth is out there: in Wellington not Canberra" The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 January 2007
"Using Comparative Studies to Improve Freedom of Information Analysis. Insights from Australia, Canada and New Zealand" presented at 6th National and 2nd International Congress on the Right to Information, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico 8-11th November 2005.
Refereed Articles
Freedom of Information
"Freedom of Information and the delivery of diminishing returns or how spin doctors and journalists have mistreated a volatile reform," in The Drawing Board: An Australian Review of Public Affairs, Volume 3, Number 2: March 2002, 187–207
“Freedom of Information: The experience of the Australian states - an epiphany?”Federal Law Review Vol 29, 2001 , 343-358.
The Kiwi Paradox - A Comparison of Freedom of Information in Australia and New Zealand Federal Law Review Vol 28 No.3 2000, 575-616.
“Rethinking administrative law: A redundancy package for Freedom of Information?” Administrative Law and the Rule of Law: Still Part of the Same Package? Proceedings of the 1998 National Administrative Law Forum, edited Susan Kneebone, AIAL Canberra 1999, 84-108.
“Who needs FOI when market mechanisms will deliver accountability on demand” A critical evaluation of the relationship between FOI and Government Business Enterprises?” (with E. Langston) - Flinders Journal of Law Reform 1999 Vol 3 Issue 2. 215-246.
“Freedom of Information and the Tasmanian Ombudsman 1993-1996,”University Tasmania Law Review 1997 Vol 16 No. 2 [with Helen Sheridan], 107-159.
"The Torchlight starts to glow a little brighter: Interpretation of Freedom of Information Legislation Revisited."Australian Journal of Administrative Law. August 1995 197-216.
"Freedom of Information and Administration of Education" previously published in The Practising Administrator, Vol 16 No.1 1994, 12-15. (with Helen Townley). Included in Dr Barrington Thomas, What Every Principal Needs to Know About the Law (No.1 in The Principal Handbook Series) 2nd Edition 1995. 48-54.
Other articles
“Towards an Understanding of a Constitutional Misfit: Four Snapshots of the Ombudsman Enigma,” in Finn C ed, Sunrise or Sunset? Administrative Law in the New Millennium, AIAL, Canberra 2000, 188-205.
“Tasmanian Subordinate Legislation Committee – A Case Study” (with H. Townley and D.Vance) – Deakin Law Review 4 [2] 1999-2000, 1-37, Feature Article.
“A Spiral of Quality: Some Reflective and Personal Thoughts About Changing University Teaching Practices,” International Journal of University Teaching and Learning Vol 1 No 1 August 1998.
“The Curriculum and Teaching of Property Law in Australian Law Schools” Australian Property Law Journal [Lynden Griggs] Vol 5 No.2&3 , 213-226.
"Natural Justice - an Alternative Ground for Intervention in Corporate Decision Making?" (with L. Griggs) Queensland University of Technology Law Journal Vol 10 1994. 22-34.
"Western Samoa Trade Unionism: The 1981 Public Service Strike" New Zealand Journal of Industrial Relations ,1992, 17, 69-84.
"Official Receiver in Bankruptcy v Schultz" 65 Australian Law Journal 1991, 550-552 (with L. Griggs)
"Property Boundaries in Tasmania" University Tasmania Law Review Vol 10., 1991 256-268 (with L. Griggs)
Non-Refereed Articles
Freedom of Information
“Contentious Issues Management – The Dry Rot in FoI Practice,” [2002] 102 FoI Review, 62-65.
“Cabinet Exemptions in Australia – Saying Goodbye to the Midas Touch,” [2002] 102 FoI Review, 65-67.
“Commercial in confidence: Time for a Rethink?” [2002] 102 FoI Review, 67-69.
“FoI Officers A Constituency in Decline?” [2002] 102 FoI Review, 69-72.
“Freedom of Information and Parliament: a Limited Accountability Tool for a Key Constituency?” [2002] 100 FoI Review, 34-41 [with James Upcher].
“Freedom of Information in Queensland: A Preliminary Analysis of the Report of the Queensland Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee,” [2002] 99 FoI Review, 26-28 [with David Hodgson].
“Administrative compliance: evaluating the effectiveness of freedom of information,” (2001) 93 FoI Review, 26-32.
“Developments in Tasmanian Freedom of Information 1996-1999,” (2001) 93 FoI Review, 32-35.[with Nicole Tyson]
“Salvaging the planks from the good ship Open Government,” (2001) 92 FoI Review, 19-21.
"Back to the drawing board: Preliminary musings on redesigning Australian Freedom of Information" (2000) 85 FoI Review,2-6 (with Nicole Tyson)
“In search of the Freedom of Information constituency: Case 1 The Media" [1998] 78 FoI Review, 81-84.
“FOI Developments in the United Kingdom : White Paper “Your Right To Know” [with Helen Sheridan] [1998] 73 FoI Review, 2-11.
“A few more pieces in the puzzle of Freedom of Information in New Zealand - The 1997 Law Commission Review of the Official Information Act 1982” [with Helen Sheridan] ][1997] 71 FoI Review
“FoI Reporting Requirements: The Tasmanian “Devil” Approach: Forget and File Away,” [with Helen Sheridan][1997] 70 FoI Review 52-56.
“Secrecy: Report of the United States Commission on Protecting and Reducing Government Secrecy,” [with Helen Sheridan][1997] 69 FoI Review 36-40.
“A Slow Tasmanian Train Finally Reaches the Wrong Destination (Missing the point about open government): An Initial Response to the review of FOI in Tasmania”. [with Helen Sheridan](1997) 67 FoI Review
“Public Records - Current Issues in Control and Access Prior to Privatisation,” [with Helen Townley] (1996) 65 FoI Review 58-61.
“Open Government: A Slow Train Coming,” (1996) 61 FoI Review 2-4.
“ALRC/ARC DISCUSSION PAPER 59 - A Few Significant Steps Towards Open Government: A Summary and Comments” (with Helen Sheridan) 1995 60 FoI Review 90-96.
"The Ballad of Frank and Candour: Trying to Shake the Secrecy Blues From the Heart of Government." (1995) 57 FoI Review 34-37.
"Journey From the Comfort Zone: A Few Steps Towards Open Government." (1995) 55 FoI Review, 3-7.
"The Ombudsman Strikes Back," (1995) 55 FoI Review, 2-3.
"Obviously Four Unbelievers: Adequacy of Searches Under FoI, an Act of Faith?" (1994) 50 FoI Review, 15-18.
"Freedom of Information and Administration of Education" The Practising Administrator, Vol 16 No.1 1994, 12-15. (with Helen Townley).
"The Cabinet Information Exemption: Theoretical Safeguards Exposed by a Tasmanian Case Study." (1993) 46 FoI Review 42-45 (with Helen Townley).
"Reasons for Decisions: The Tasmanian FoI Act" (1992) 40 FoI Review. 42-44 (with Helen Townley)
"Freedom of Information: A Research Tool for Tasmanian Lawyers." Survey of Tasmanian Law Vol 1 1994 92-111.
"The Effect of Freedom: Is FoI a Benefit or Threat to Record Management Practices?" presented to the 10th National Convention of the Records Management Association of Australia, Hobart, 5-8 September 1993.
Other
“Leo Susman: German, Jew, Merchant and Freemason of Hobart Town,” Tasmanian Historical Research Association Vol 45 No 1 1998, 18-32.
“When Student Names Escape You...” The Law Teacher Vol 4 No.2, 1997 12.
“The Tasmanian Caveat Board : An Overview of a Key Colonial Tribunal 1835-1859” Tasmanian Historical Research Association Vol 42 no.4, Dec 1995, 192-213.
Web Essays
“Ombudsman forces Tasmanian Government to release Cabinet Documents Link, August 2006.
The following do not seem to be archived on Tasmanian Times.com. I have tried to find the nearest version I have to the final essay that was published online.
“The Secret State (?) 2” The Tasmanian Times Link August 2004 with Taylor Bildstein Word version
“The Secret State (?) 1” The Tasmanian Times link August 2004. Word version.
“The Southern Gulags” The Tasmanian Times Link July 2003. Word version.
“The Ghost of King O’Malley” The Tasmanian Times Link July 2003. Word version.
“Media, Politics and the Academy - Finding Common Ground?” The Tasmanian Times Link May 2003. Word version.
“From Dark Victory …. To Faint Hope” The Tasmanian Times Link May 2003. Word version
In the Pipeline
These are articles or papers I am currently working on or have submitted for publication. They should be treated as drafts or works in progress. If you would like to read or comment on any of these please check with me in regards to availability and any distribution restrictions.
“Serial Applicants - troublesome users and abusers or necessary agitators? co-author Erin Wells forthcoming in AIAL Forum Status: Being redrafted in response to referee reports.
"Henry VIII Clauses" coauthor Ben Mee. Being updated and redrafted.
Just starting
An article based on my experiences working in Cambodia. Is FOI suitable for all countries? For Cambodian experiences see my Blog and see US Embassy newsletter.
An article that updates FOI developments at the state level around Australia.
An article that looks at a comparative approach to Ombudsman. Focusing on a Australia/New Zealand comparison and an Australian and Canadian comparison at state level.