about the OIC

The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), which is part of the Information and Privacy Commission, has been established as part of the new right to information system and is being led by an Information Commissioner.

The OIC is independent of other government agencies, with the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police Integrity Commission exercising oversight functions.

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.

The Information Commissioner also monitors agencies’ functions and may report to the Minister for the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) about proposals for legislative or administrative change.

The Information Commissioner may issue guidelines to assist agencies and the public on various matters, including:

  • public interest considerations in favour of disclosure
  • public interest considerations against disclosure of government information
  • agencies’ functions
  • the public’s rights, including rights of review
  • agency information guides, including model agency information guides or
  • reductions in processing charges.

In carrying out these roles, the Information Commissioner has broad powers to investigate, including requiring agencies to provide information, and to conduct inquiries.

Ms Deirdre O'Donnell was appointed as the inaugural NSW Information Commissioner by the Governor at the end of April 2010 and took up her new role on 10 May 2010.

 

Goal 31 - confirming our commitment to open government in NSW

In September 2011, the New South Wales Government released NSW 2021: A Plan to Make NSW Number One, which sets the government’s goals and targets for the state for the next 10 years.

Goal 31 of the state plan calls for improved government transparency by increasing access to government information.

The goal highlights the community’s right to openness, accountability and transparency in government decision-making and information.

As Information Commissioner I welcome goal 31 of the state plan and its confirmation of the objectives of the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA Act).

Greater public access to government information fosters collaboration, increases efficiency and builds a public sector that values and shares information.

Providing people with access to information leads to improved community decision-making and greater trust in public institutions.

My office is currently working with all government agencies to ensure they deliver on this priority, which calls on agencies to be fully compliant with the mandatory proactive release requirements under the GIPA Act.

Working in conjunction with other government agencies, I look forward to reporting on the achievement of this goal for the benefit of the people of NSW.

Deirdre O’Donnell
Information Commissioner

 

Memorandum of understanding

The Information Commissioner and the NSW Ombudsman signed a memorandum of understanding on 11 August 2010 outlining the arrangements for the exchange of information and consultation between the agencies in accordance with the Ombudsman Act 1974 and the Government Information (Information Commissioner) Act 2009 (GIIC Act).

IPC service charter

The IPC service charter sets out out the services we provide and the standards you entitled to expect from us.

Privacy Management Plan

As part of the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC), the OIC adheres to the IPC's Privacy Management Plan. This plan sets out how the OIC complies with the principles of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1988 (the PPIP Act) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (the HRIP Act).