Joint statement on transparency and access to information during the COVID-19 outbreak

Last week, the Federal and State Information Commissioners and the Ombudsman issued a joint public statement on the continued importance of transparency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This statement emphasises the importance of access to information in a time when public authorities are making significant decisions affecting the Australian community.

It recognises that while there may be need for flexibility as additional resources are diverted to respond to the crisis, the need to keep clear and accurate public records and allow access to information must be maintained, particularly as this will be a much analysed period of our history.

This joint statement has been released and co-signed by:

Angelene Falk, Australian Information Commissioner
Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner, New South Wales
Sven Bluemmel, Information Commissioner, Victoria
Rachael Rangihaeata, Information Commissioner, Queensland
Catherine Fletcher, Information Commissioner, Western Australia
Brenda Monaghan, Deputy Information Commissioner, Northern Territory
Wayne Lines, Ombudsman, South Australia
Richard Connock, Ombudsman, Tasmania
Michael Manthorpe, Ombudsman, Australian Capital Territory