Ministers announce the appointment of Rachel McCallum as NSW Information Commissioner

The Hon. Jihad Dib, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice, and the Hon. Michael Daley, Attorney General, today announced the appointment of Rachel McCallum as the NSW Information Commissioner.

The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent statutory authority that administers NSW legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information.

Ms McCallum brings to the position thirty years in legal practice and policy development, including in the reform of information access rights, privacy, electoral regulation, local government, and integrity agencies.

Her extensive experience in legal, regulatory and governance positions spans the private and public sector, including her most recent role as Executive Director and General Counsel at the NSW Electoral Commission. She has previously served in senior positions at Transport for NSW and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The appointment follows a recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission. Ms McCallum will take up her role as Information Commissioner from 4 March 2024.

As Information Commissioner, Ms McCallum’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. The Information Commissioner is also the IPC CEO.

Attorney General Michael Daley said, “I welcome Ms McCallum to the role and look forward to working with her.

“I also wish to thank Elizabeth Tydd who held the role for 10 years and departed the Information and Privacy Commission NSW on 2 February this year.

“During her time as Information Commissioner, there was a significant shift in the information access landscape in NSW. Ms Tydd oversaw a significant maturing of agencies’ practices, and I am confident Ms McCallum will continue this vital work.”

Minister for Customer Service Jihad Dib said, “Building trust and transparency is a key focus of this important statutory role, giving the people of NSW confidence about the way access to government information is managed.

“By empowering people to understand their rights to access information, and guiding government agencies to implement good practice, the work of the Information Commissioner supports accountability in government and our democratic systems.

“I look forward to working with Commissioner McCallum and congratulate her on the appointment.”

Information Commissioner Rachel McCallum said, “The Information and Privacy Commission serves a critical integrity role for public administration in NSW. It is a privilege to be appointed as Information Commissioner and CEO of the IPC and to lead this work over the next few years.

“Information access and privacy issues are central to the fair and effective adoption of new technologies to deliver public services.”

The IPC supports the Information Commissioner in fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and functions to ensure individuals and agencies can access consistent information, guidance and coordinated training about information matters.

The media release from the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, and the Attorney General announcing this appointment can be accessed via the NSW Government website.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

The Manager, Communications and Corporate Affairs on 0435 961 691 or email communications@ipc.nsw.gov.au

About the Information and Privacy Commission:

The Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC) is an independent statutory authority that administers New South Wales’ legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information. The IPC supports the Information Commissioner and the Privacy Commissioner in fulfilling their legislative responsibilities and functions and to ensure individuals and agencies can access consistent information, guidance and coordinated training about information access and privacy matters.

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.

The Government Information (Information Commissioner) Act 2009 (GIIC Act) establishes the procedures for appointing the Information Commissioner and sets out the Commissioner's powers and functions. It outlines the method for people to complain about the conduct of agencies when undertaking their duties under the GIPA Act, and the way in which the Information Commissioner may deal with the complaint. The GIIC Act also enables the Information Commissioner to investigate and report on how agencies carry out their functions under the GIPA Act.

For further information about the IPC visit our website at www.ipc.nsw.gov.au

Download a copy of the media release.