State Records of South Australia provides an overview on Freedom of Information in South Australia. Under the Freedom of Information Act 1991, members of the public have a legal right to access documents held by the History Trust of South Australia, subject to certain exemptions.

Structure and Function

The History Trust of South Australia is exactly what our name implies. We carry the community’s trust to keep safe our state’s stories and memory collections so that they will not be lost. This means that they will continue to enrich the lives of current and future generations.

As a statutory authority, we report to the Parliament of South Australia and our Board of Trustees are accountable through the Minister for Education. The History Trust of South Australia Act 1981 safeguards South Australia’s material heritage and encourages research and the public presentation of South Australian history.

This Act requires us to carry out a number of roles and activities. We manage museums (currently the National Motor Museum, South Australian Maritime Museum, Migration Museum, and the Centre of Democracy Gallery), the State History Collection, and promote and carry out research on South Australian history. We also produce exhibitions, education programs, public programs and events that engage audiences with history. We deliver capacity building programs and grants that assist community museums and historical societies in every part of our State.

Documents held by the History Trust

The History Trust holds a range of documents which broadly fall into the categories of:

• Collection Management: Documents relating to the acquisition, accessioning, deaccessioning, research, interpretation and preservation of objects.
• Administration: Operational documents relating to the preservation of our corporate memory such as policies, procedures and guidelines, minutes of meetings, and correspondence.
• Governance: Documents relating to board minutes and papers.
• Public Engagement: Documents relating to the functions of education, promotion, exhibitions, curatorial services, events, public programs and services.

Public access to History Trust documents

The History Trust has a range of information and documentation available on its website for public viewing. State Records of South Australia provides resources for making a Freedom of Information Application. Any queries regarding FOI at the History Trust can be emailed to: FOI@history.sa.gov.au.

Disclosure log

From 1 October 2017, State Government Agencies are required to publish on their website details and documents that have already been disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 that:

• Are not related to the personal affairs of an individual;
• Could not be claimed as exempt under Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act when publicly released; and
• Could not be considered defamatory or a breach of confidentiality or reasonably be anticipated to cause harm to a person.

Please note that some determinations available for public access may have additional information removed. For example, information relating to the personal affairs of an applicant may be redacted, prior to public release.

Details of completed Freedom of Information requests will be available on the History Trust website for a period of twelve months.

Reference No. 202401
Date of Determination: 23 January 2025
FOI Request: Internal History Trust documents including emails, board papers and reports relating to the Cultural Collections Storage Facility: timeframe 1 April 2024 to 12 November 2024, created by Greg Mackie for History Trust staff or board members (or correspondence sent to or from) and by History Trust staff to Greg Mackie, excluding documents created for the purpose of Cabinet consideration or Parliamentary briefing.

For a copy of the documents listed above please contact FOI@history.sa.gov.au.