Access to Information

New access to information laws

From 1 July 2010, the new Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (“GIPA Act”) replaces the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW).

Objects of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009

The object of the GIPA Act is to open government information to the public by:

• Authorising and encouraging the proactive release of government information by agencies
• Giving members of the public an enforceable right to access government information
• Providing that access to government information is only restricted when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

The Office of the Information Commissioner

The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) has been established as part of the new right to information system and is being led by an Information Commissioner.  The role of the Information Commissioner is to promote public awareness and understanding of the new right to information law, and provide information, support, advice, assistance and training to agencies and the general public. The OIC also has the power to review decisions made by government agencies and to deal with complaints.

GIPA Act application to the University of Wollongong

A "Government agency” is defined by the GIPA Act and covers, among other bodies, public authorities. A “public authority” encompasses bodies which are established or continued for a public purpose by or under the provisions of a legislative instrument. As the University of Wollongong (“UOW”) was established by the University of Wollongong Act 1989 for public purposes, it falls under the definition of a public authority and as such, is subject to the GIPA Act.

Accessing UOW Information

The GIPA Act establishes four ways to access government information:

1. Mandatory Disclosure: obligatory publication of certain information on UOW’s website, free of charge.
2. Proactive Release: release of information, in an appropriate manner and at the lowest reasonable cost.
3. Informal Release: release of information in response to a person’s informal request.
4. Formal Access: release of information in response to a formal access application.

Right to Information Officers

Right to Information Officers (RIOs) are UOW staff members who have been given authority and responsibility for the management of UOW’s obligations under the GIPA Act.