The IPC bids farewell to NSW Information Commissioner and CEO, Elizabeth Tydd

After 10 years of serving as the NSW Information Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC), Elizabeth Tydd will serve her final day on Friday 2 February.

Commissioner Tydd reflected that: “The collective efforts of NSW agencies and the IPC have resulted in a recognition of and respect for information access as a foundation to our democratic systems of government and a cornerstone of integrity.”

During her time as Information Commissioner, there has been a dramatic shift in the information access landscape in NSW, but also a significant maturity of agencies’ practices.

Ms Tydd’s first term included the IPC effectively leading the contribution of state and territory Information Commissioners and Ombudsmen to the development of the Commonwealth’s first Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (OGP NAP).

In 2014, the IPC held its first Right to Know (RTK) Week NSW campaign which for almost a decade has underpinned the commitment of integrity and transparency for government agencies in NSW.

In 2015, under Ms Tydd’s leadership, the IPC launched the IPC GIPA Tool, a new case management and reporting system developed for agencies and other organisations that are regulated by the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). Through the implementation of the GIPA Tool, the IPC has streamlined its development of its annual report on the operation of the GIPA act and secured a reputation for clear and comprehensive reporting, providing transparency on the information access outcomes of agencies.

Throughout Ms Tydd’s tenure the IPC has drawn on international and national developments and approaches, and respectfully collaborated with other regulators, statutory officers, agencies, and the community to enhance the IPC’s service delivery and ensure the effectiveness of its regulatory impact.

In September 2022, Ms Tydd featured at the UNESCO Global Right to Information Conference 2022 in Uzbekistan, focusing on ‘Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance and Access to Information’.

During the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the collaboration between state and territory counterparts to preserve and promote rights remained paramount. The IPC recognised that the impact of coronavirus brought unprecedented challenges for our society, and in that context public authorities needed to make significant decisions that affect public health, civil liberties and people’s prosperity. However, Ms Tydd emphasised that the public’s right to access information about such decisions was and remained crucial.

Throughout her time as Information Commissioner, Ms Tydd has led the IPC to advance access to information, while working with agencies to streamline and simplify the process for individuals seeking access to government information. The many initiatives and engagements over the years have led to a more transparent and accessible government, fostering trust between the public and government agencies. Ms Tydd recognises and thanks all agencies and practitioners for their continued commitment to the people of NSW.

Ms Tydd’s dedicated service and wealth of industry knowledge has led the IPC to the reputation and high regard it holds today with her drive to promote public awareness and understanding or information access rights in NSW.

On behalf of NSW public sector agencies and citizens, the IPC thanks Ms Tydd for her hard work, commitment, and dedication.