Richard Connock

Ombuds and information commissioners have issued a joint statement encouraging agencies to implement best practice for proactive disclosure. 

Privacy commissioners from around the nation have promised a consistent approach to accessing records of Stolen Generations survivors. 

Tasmania’s backlog of Right to Information cases will soon be reduced with a funding boost from the state government. The government has given its ombud’s office an extra $245,000 per year as part of the 2019-20 budget, according to attorney-general Elise Archer.

Reluctant public servants and lack of trained Freedom of Information officers have been blamed for poor transparency in two states.

Information commissioners and ombuds from Australia and New Zealand have called on government agencies to do more to make information accessible to the public. As part of International Right to Know Day, which took place on 28 September, the leaders have encouraged agencies to take a “proactive approach towards releasing information”.