STATE RECORDS ACT 1997 - SECT 5
STATE RECORDS ACT 1997 - SECT 5
(1) The objects of
this Act are—
(a) to
establish the office of State Records—
(i)
as the principal repository for official records that are
no longer required for current administrative purposes; and
(ii)
with general responsibility under the Minister for the
administration of this Act; and
(b) to
ensure that official records of enduring evidential or informational value are
preserved for future reference; and
(c) to
promote the observance of best practices by agencies in their management of
official records; and
(d) to
ensure that each agency is afforded prompt and efficient access to
official records in the custody of State Records for which the agency is
responsible; and
(e) to
ensure that members of the public have ready access to official records in the
custody of State Records subject only to exceptions or restrictions
that—
(i)
would be authorised under the Freedom of Information
Act 1991 or Part 5A of the Local Government Act 1934 ; and
(ii)
are required—
• for protection
of the right to privacy of private individuals or on other grounds that have
continued relevance despite the passage of time since the records came into
existence; or
• for the
preservation of the records or necessary administrative purposes.
(2) This Act must be
administered and standards must be formulated and determinations and decisions
made under this Act so as to give effect to the objects set out in
subsection (1).