Accessing and reusing copyright government records

This article examines the laws and practices of government as preserver and provider of public access to its copyright records, focusing on Australian federal archival and copyright laws. It examines the policy rationale behind the provision of public access to, and preservation of, unpublished and published works held by government. It argues that existing laws and practices should be viewed in the light of further moves towards openness of government and of technological changes in the way we access, create and communicate works. It argues that government should do more to encourage the reuse of its archival information and examines the legal implications of so doing.