International Access to Information Day – 28 September 2020
Talking right to information (RTI) with Queensland’s Information Commissioner Rachael Rangihaeata
International Access to Information Day (IAI Day) on 28 September 2020 encourages communities and government around Australia and the world to come together and celebrate the importance of the right to access government-held information. This year IAI Day also focuses on how access to information plays a key role in times of crisis, such as the current pandemic or natural disasters.
IPAA Queensland asked Rachael Rangihaeata from the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) why access to information matters and how agencies and public servants can help foster a work culture that values the right to information (RTI).
Why is IAI Day important?
Every year on 28 September, it’s an opportunity for communities and governments around the world to acknowledge and celebrate the fundamental human right that is access to information (or the right to know). It’s one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.
This year IAI Day is focusing on the vital role that information plays in times of crisis. It’s very relevant in 2020, given the current COVID-19 pandemic being felt in all corners of the globe. When government is transparent and discloses timely and accurate information, this empowers citizens to take responsible action that can help mitigate the impact of crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters like bushfires and cyclones.
Right now citizens and governments are making decisions every day that affect how we, our community and government, respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. In these circumstances, it’s especially important to acknowledge IAI Day and how different our lives would be if we didn’t have access to government-held information. Our theme this year is ‘Building trust through transparency’ and at the OIC we believe this is something all Queensland public sector agencies should strive for.
How is IAI Day different to Right to Information Day?
Queensland previously celebrated IAI Day as Right to Information Day (as it referenced our legislation the Right to Information Act 2009). While the name is different in 2020, the intent is still the same – raising awareness about information access rights. The name change also brings greater consistency across Australia and with the United Nations.
The right to information is enshrined in access to information laws across Australia and the world. We’re among more than 120 nations to guarantee citizens these rights. Whether it’s called right to information, right to know or right to access information, it all points to the same thing.
What does the OIC do?
The OIC independently upholds and promotes access to government-held information and privacy rights. We are governed by the RTI and Information Privacy (IP) Acts.
Greater access to information leads to an informed community, able to participate in and scrutinise government. RTI and information privacy obligations promote a more effective, efficient, ethical, open, transparent and accountable public service.
We work with Queensland public sector agencies to promote the push model, where information is proactively released to the public unless there is a good reason not to. We provide information and assistance to agencies and the community about information access and privacy rights. We also provide independent, timely and fair reviews of decisions made under the RTI and IP Acts.
How can agencies foster a work culture that really values and nurtures RTI?
Agencies should be acknowledging the right to access information every day – not just on IAI Day. Raising awareness of RTI and building good practices into day-to-day activities is a great starting point. Leadership that promotes RTI should be happening from the top down and bottom up – that way everyone plays a role and understands the value in RTI and how it has a positive impact on everyday lives.
Agencies can build trust in times of crisis, by proactively and comprehensively disclosing information, consistent with Queensland’s RTI laws. When agencies and public servants understand the value of access to government information, we’re all in a better position to keep the community informed and empowered, while also ensuring that government is open, transparent and accountable.
What’s your vision for RTI in Queensland?
We all want to live in a world where government and public sector agencies are open, transparent and accountable. At the Office of the Information Commissioner, we believe releasing information to the community proactively or on request is a fundamental building block in a democratic society.
The right to information and transparency ultimately builds trust, unity and it can lead to better decision-making. We know Queensland’s recovery from COVID-19 will rely on access to information, which is critical to influencing community behaviour and informed decisions for achieving health, economic and social responses and recovery.
With the support of Queensland public sector agencies, we can promote the value of access to information during times of crisis and build greater trust through transparency.
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