Western Australian Information Commissioner, Catherine Fletcher has joined forces with other Australian Information Commissioners and Ombudsmen to promote the proactive release of information by Government Agencies.
The Commissioners and Ombudsmen signed a joint statement on the implementation of their Open by Design Principles ahead of the International Access to Information Day on Tuesday (28 September).
In signing the statement, Ms Fletcher (pictured) said the principles should be used by Government Agencies to encourage and authorise the proactive release of information and promote open Government.
“Citizens throughout Australia experience inconsistent levels of access to valuable and important information from their Governments,” Ms Fletcher said.
“This is particularly evident in the differences in proactive release of information between jurisdictions.”
She said the proactive disclosure of Government-held information promoted open government and advanced Australia’s system of representative democracy.
“All Australian Governments — Commonwealth, State and Territory and Local — and public institutions, are strongly encouraged to commit to the Open by Design Principles by building a culture of transparency and by prioritising, promoting and resourcing proactive disclosure,” Ms Fletcher said.
The joint statement was also signed by Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk, NSW Information Commissioner, Elizabeth Tydd; Victorian Information Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel; Queensland Information Commissioner, Rachael Rangihaeata; South Australian Ombudsman, Wayne Lines; Tasmanian Ombudsman, Richard Connock; Acting ACT Ombudsman, Penny McKay, and Northern Territory Information Commissioner, Peter Shoyer.
The Information Commissioners’ and Ombudsmen’s three-page joint statement can be accessed at this PS News link and their Open by Design Principles at this link.
