Hi everyone
Last week, government received and released the independent review into the effectiveness of Tasmania’s Right to Information framework report, Getting Back on Track.
The Review highlights several areas of strength across the Tasmanian State Service. It acknowledges the professionalism and dedication of our Right to Information (RTI) delegates, the commitment to public service values, and successful examples of proactive disclosure and improvement in our RTI processes, including the recently delivered RTI Uplift Project.
These efforts demonstrate our collective commitment to openness and responsiveness and provides a strong foundation for further improvement.
The Review also identifies several opportunities to enhance the RTI system to better serve the Tasmanian community. These include:
- Establishing greater consistency in RTI practices across agencies to ensure applicants have a more predictable and equitable experience.
- Strengthening support for RTI delegated officers and expanding proactive disclosure practices to increase public access to information.
- Improving the accessibility and clarity of agency RTI webpages.
DPAC will lead a coordinated process to review the report and its recommendations in collaboration with all agencies. This will include considering the recommendations, assessing operational impacts and opportunities, and developing advice for the Tasmanian Government.
This year we have already progressed a number of improvements to support the management of right to information. The Department of Premier and Cabinet partnered with the University of Tasmania to produce a whole-of-government information management and RTI training program to improve consistency of practices, knowledge and approach.
The new online training modules and whole of government policies and procedures, have been developed in collaboration with agencies, the Office of the State Archivist, and the Office of the Tasmanian Ombudsman. These materials are currently being rolled out across the public sector.
These materials will provide guidance to RTI delegates and public sector professionals regarding information management, personal information protection, and the application of exemptions under the Right to Information Act.
It is very pleasing to note that this work was also reviewed by the independent RTI Reviewers and acknowledged positively within their final report.
RTI remains one of the most powerful ways we can demonstrate to the Tasmanian community that as a State Service we are here to support them by delivering services in a transparent, open, and effective manner.
It is up to each of us to consider the information and data that we create or collect in our agencies and to help identify further opportunities for new routine information disclosures, or performance information that can be shared with the public about the who, what, when, where and why – and importantly, the quality of government services we deliver.
The Review’s findings are welcomed and represent a shared opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to these principles.
Kind regards,
Kath
