8 FOI Applications Lodged Regarding Australian Synchrotron Conflict. (June 29, 2010)

Bernard Lane, in The Australian, reports that one of eight Freedom of Information applications lodged with the Victorian bureaucracy which has come to his attention "seeks emails, letters and briefings about the removal of chemistry professor Rob Lamb last year as founding director of the Melbourne-based [Australian Synchrotron]".

Gavin Jennings, Victoria's Minister of Innovation is already in the process of releasing at least parts of pertinent documents, and according to Mr Lane, the FOI application seen by him: "focuses on key figures, including Mr Jennings, his federal counterpart Kim Carr, Professor Lamb and lawyer Catherine Walter, who chairs the synchrotron board." The request seeks to have made public, "communications and records touching on Professor Lamb's tenure and departure, the resignation of scientific advisers to the facility, as well as official reviews of its accountability and efficiency."

If properly handled the consequences could be far-reaching in that the mechanisms unutilised in the governance of major Australian research facilities could be significantly affected for years to come.