AGY-2666 | Government Information Service

Full description

The Government Information Service was created following a review of NSW government administration, in 1977, which identified serious problems in the flow of information to the community regarding the functions and activities of government. The recommendations of the report included expansion of the activities and scope of the Government Information and Sales Centre, which had been established in 1963. (1) The recommendations also included the publication of a government directory, and upgrading of Country Information offices to status of Government Information Centres. (2) The review appears to have resulted in the division of the Government Information and Sales Centre in 1979 into the Government Information Service, which was to supervise the Government Information Centres. (3) The main function of the Government Information Service was to provide a central point of contact for information about Government services and information. The Government Information service was also responsible for; retail of government publications such as legislation, and the NSW government directory, administering the retail outlets, providing a telephone referral service about government initiatives and administering subscription service for legislation. The Information service also co ordinated the state government's exhibition at the Royal Easter Show. (4) In the 1990's the legislation could be provided in electronic form. The Service also maintained Parildex, an interactive database on responsible government in the 1990's. (5) The Government Information Centres provided an information and referral service to the community on the activities of the NSW government, and distributed free publications and sold copies of legislation. Government Information Centres were also situated in the regions. (6) In 2002 some of the functions of the Government Information Service were transferred to the Government Advertising Agency, also located in the Business service group of the Department of Public Works And Services. The Government Information Service bookshops were located in Central Sydney and Parramatta. (7) Footnotes (1) Interim report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into improvements in the machinery of government and state government administration (Directions for Change) Chapter 18 p. 250 - 251 in Parliamentary Papers 1976 - 77 - 1978 p. 400 - 401 (2) Ibid p. 265 (3) NSW Government Directory , 1979 p.335 (4) NSW Government Directory, 1987 p. 212 (5) NSW Government Directory ,1999, p.271 (6) NSW Government Directory, 1985 p.270 - 271 (7) Department of Public Works and Services Website, http://gaa.dpws.nsw.gov.au/GAA