Australian and New Zealand Information Access Commissioners unite for citizens Right to Know
Australia and New Zealand’s Information Access Commissioners are meeting on 28 and 29 September 2017 in Brisbane to discuss and promote the importance of open government and the right for citizens to access government-held information and data.
In recognition of this year’s International Right to Know Day the listed independent statutory officers have released the following statement:
A citizen’s right to access government-held information and data, participate in government decision-making, and have transparency in how decisions are made is central to any effective democracy.
Right to Know Day is an opportunity for all Australians and New Zealanders to reflect on their access rights and the benefits of a more open, transparent and accountable government. It is also a reminder to government that greater access to government information and data can deliver better public services, strengthen economic outcomes and build public trust and confidence in the public sector.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Right to Know Day on 28 September 2017.
Co-signed by:
Rachael Rangihaeata, Information Commissioner, Queensland
Timothy Pilgrim, Australian Information Commissioner
Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman, New Zealand
Brenda Monaghan, Information Commissioner, Northern Territory
Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner, New South Wales
Richard Connock, Ombudsman, Tasmania
Sally Winton, Acting Public Access Deputy Commissioner, Victoria
Wayne Lines, Ombudsman, South Australia
Sven Bluemmel, Information Commissioner, Western Australia
SOLOMON LECTURE 2017
This year, underpinned by the Right to Know Day theme of ‘Open and accountable government and the media’s role’, Queensland’s annual Solomon Lecture will be the centrepiece of the Right to Know campaign. The Lecture will be live-streamed on Right to Know Day on 28 September 2017.
Mr Kerry O’Brien, one of Australia’s most distinguished and respected journalists, will deliver this year’s lecture and draw on the 30th anniversary of the Fitzgerald Inquiry in Queensland as an opportunity to revisit some of the lessons learnt over the past three decades around open government, including the media’s role.
Following the Lecture will be a panel discussion featuring Channel 7’s Freedom of Information Editor, Alison Sandy, Queensland University of Technology Vice Chancellor Peter Coaldrake AO and Dr David Solomon AM. Journalist Madonna King will lead the panel discussion.
The Lecture is sold out but you can watch it live online (9am) at www.ustream.tv/channel/the-edge-external-events
INTERVIEW REQUESTS AND MORE INFORMATION
To schedule an interview with the NSW Information Commissioner, Ms Elizabeth Tydd, please contact Kate Jobling on 0435 961 691 or email ipcinfo@ipc.nsw.gov.au to make your request.
For more information about how Right to Know Week (25 September – 1 October 2017) is being celebrated in NSW, please visit the IPC website: http://ipc.nsw.gov.au/news-media/events/right-know-week-2017
