Agencies across the Australian Public Service are going backwards in their rate of compliance with the open-Government requirements of the Information Publication Scheme (IPS).
A survey conducted for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) last year found compliance levels had fallen in key areas compared to the same survey in 2012.
Australian Information Commissioner, Angelene Falk said that despite the drop in compliance, the survey results showed IPS continued to be an important element in ensuring information held by Government Agencies was managed for public purposes and was treated as a national resource.
“A decline was observed in each of the four key areas of compliance measured by the survey in 2012 and 2018,” Ms Falk said.
The four key areas were larger agencies, micro, small and extra small agencies.
“Larger Agencies generally reported higher levels of compliance with IPS requirements and better practice principles, compared with micro to small Agencies,” she said.
She noted that compliance with the IPS was a continuing statutory responsibility for Agencies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
“The involvement of senior leaders in Agencies will be key to promoting the value of the IPS in enabling a proactive approach to releasing information into the future,” Ms Falk said.
“Both the volume of information handled by Agencies and the manner in which the public accesses information has changed since the first survey was conducted in 2012.”
She said the OAIC would review its guidance and other resources to assist with Agency compliance and support better practice, taking into account changes in the operating environment.
“The survey’s results have assisted the OAIC to identify areas where improvements can be made to further promote the proactive publication of Australian Government information,” Ms Falk said.
The 2018 survey attracted a response rate of 82 per cent compared to 78 per cent in 2012 with 190 Agencies participating.
The OAIC’s 56-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
