The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has recognised International Access to Information (IAI) Day on Tuesday (28 September), acknowledging the value of people’s right to access Government-held information.
In a statement, the Department said the theme of this year’s event, Open by Design: Government Transparency Everyone Can See, underlined the benefits that timely access to accurate and relevant information brought, particularly during a crisis.
“It helps us to stay informed of the situation, provides us with ways to stay safe or help out and empowers us to make decisions about matters affecting us,” it said.
“Proactively releasing information also helps to build greater trust between Government and the community and, in turn, aids faster recovery.”
The Department said Queensland’s economic recovery would benefit from timely access to accurate information so individuals and Governments could make informed decisions.
“Continued Government openness, transparency and accountability will be fundamental to this process,” it said.
“IAI Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of every individual’s right of access to Government-held information; and the public sector’s responsibility to release information if it is in the public interest to do so.
“It is a day on which individuals and Governments from around the world can support this fundamental human right and promote open, democratic societies where citizens are empowered and participate in Government,” the Department said.
