Information Commissioner appointed

New South Wales’ new Information Commissioner has been appointed and will commence in the role next month, Attorney General Greg Smith announced today.

Elizabeth Tydd has been appointed as the state’s new Information Commissioner and will serve for a term of five years from 23 December 2013.

The Information Commissioner is tasked with promoting and protecting the community’s right to information in NSW and with heading the Information and Privacy Commission.

Acting Information Commissioner Kathrina Lo welcomed the appointment of Ms Tydd.

“The new Information Commissioner has a reputation for exemplary leadership and independence, and has been instrumental in developing policies to promote transparency, resolve disputes and encourage decision-making that upholds the rights of the community,” Ms Lo said.

“Elizabeth Tydd most recently served as Executive Director of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. Her previous positions have included Assistant Commissioner at the Office of Fair Trading, and Deputy Chairperson of the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal. She has also served as Deputy President and Arbitrator at the Workers Compensation Commission.”

The new Commissioner is an accredited mediator who holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws from the University of Technology, Sydney.

Ms Lo, who has acted in the role since the inaugural Commissioner Deirdre O’Donnell stepped down in July, said Ms Tydd would build on the foundations of her predecessor and take the agency into the future.

“The work of the Commission is vital in ensuring the transparency and accountability of the NSW Government and the new Commissioner will play a pivotal role in protecting the rights of NSW citizens to access government information,” she said.

The appointment was made by the Governor today and was also considered by the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman, the Police Integrity Commission and the Crime Commission, to whom she will report.