IPC Annual Report 2017/18 released

Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) CEO, NSW Information Commissioner and Open Data Advocate Elizabeth Tydd released the IPC’s Annual Report 2017/18 today, which also contains a report on the work of the Privacy Commissioner, Samantha Gavel for the same period.

The Annual Report documents the IPC’s work and organisational achievements during the reporting period, and outlines the IPC’s focus for the year ahead across both information access and privacy in NSW.

Ms Tydd noted the Annual Report demonstrates that the IPC is both an effective regulator and leader in sound information access and privacy governance.

“In the 12 months ending 30 June 2018, the IPC supported NSW public sector agencies in addressing contemporary information governance challenges  to promote information access and secure, digital services that are designed to provide better services and outcomes for the public,” said Ms Tydd.

Ms Gavel noted that the IPC provided effective advice across the spectrum of information governance to NSW Government agencies, and effectively promoted and protected information and privacy rights.

“Upholding and promoting NSW citizens’ right to information access and privacy is central to the work of the IPC. Our service to the public has been enhanced through our finalisation of applications, provision of guidance to members of the public, strategic regulatory initiatives and our active promotion of these important rights,” said Ms Tydd.

2017/18 highlights include:

• improving community and agency understanding of privacy and information access rights in NSW with 44 new publications released
• contributing to consistent agency decision-making with 409 new registrations for e-learning modules
• realising the community’s information access and privacy rights with the finalisation of 586 reviews and complaints across information access and privacy
• supporting public sector compliance through the provision of 693 advices to agencies.

Ms Gavel added that privacy issues have been at the forefront of much of the work being done by NSW Government agencies to increase digital service delivery and provide better services and outcomes for the public. 

“Privacy initiatives during the year included production of guidance materials to assist agencies to mitigate and manage data breaches; development of guidance for the public and health care providers about accessing medical records; and the IPC’s Privacy Awareness Week event opened by the Attorney General and focusing on the theme of Privacy in the Digital Age,” said Ms Gavel.

Ms Tydd added that the IPC continued to provide NSW government agencies with tools to assist them with exercising their information access and privacy rights.

“We released two important tools to increase the capacity of agencies to harness the benefits of the digital age and better engage with citizens – the Open Data e-learning module to elevate knowledge and capability to deal with and release open data; and the Charter for Public Participation to assist NSW agencies with maximising citizen input to the development and delivery of policies and services.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

IPC media team on 0435 961 691 or email communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au

About the NSW Information Commissioner

The NSW Information Commissioner’s statutory role includes promoting public awareness and understanding of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act); providing information, advice, assistance and training to agencies and the public; dealing with complaints about agencies; investigating agencies’ systems, policies and practices; and reporting on compliance with the GIPA Act.

About the NSW Privacy Commissioner

The NSW Privacy Commissioner’s statutory role includes promoting public awareness and understanding of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIP Act), the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) and privacy rights in NSW, as well as dealing with complaints about privacy matters and providing information, support, advice and assistance to agencies and the general public .

To access the IPC Annual Report 2017/18 click here