The Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) is to add more compliance assessments to its audit program following legislation to make certain information on Government grants ‘open access’.
NSW Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd welcomed the passage of the Government Sector Finance Amendment (Grants) Bill 2023, which amended the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018.
“I commend the strengthening of NSW information access legislation,” Ms Tydd said.
“Open Access and the proactive release of Government information is critical in ensuring that Government is open, transparent, and accountable,” she said.
“Through the inclusion of grants information as Open Access information, there is improved transparency around how the NSW Government handles and allocates public funds.”
Ms Tydd said this was of benefit to the public and communities and promoted accountability in the allocation of public funds.
She said the IPC had a key role in assisting Agencies to achieve compliance with the legislation.
“Following the passage of the Bill the IPC looks forward to working closely with Agencies to assist them in understanding this new obligation and incorporating it into their current Open Access practices,” the Commissioner said.
“Assessment of compliance with these requirements will become part of the IPC’s audit program.
“The results of these audits will be published annually,” Ms Tydd said.
