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Purpose
Queensland Government’s information is a key resource held in trust by the Queensland Government on behalf of all Queensland communities.
The recent Right to Information Act 2009 (the RTI Act) establishes a shift to a “push” model for the release of information to achieve open and accountable government while embedding a right to information in the administrative practices and organisational culture of the public service. The Information Privacy Act 2009 (the IP Act) ensures the necessary protections for an individual’s personal information.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that citizens and those doing business in Queensland have open access to and are able to use Queensland Government information. Queensland Government agencies will also provide their information free of charge to the maximum extent possible or, if there is a charge, agencies must price their information transparently and consistently.
Policy
When providing access to and use of Queensland Government information agencies must ensure:
- information is provided to the public to the maximum extent possible
- information is exchanged between Queensland Government agencies and other governments
- information is provided to the maximum extent possible free of charge
- information is provided with transparent conditions for use.
Scope
This information standard relates to the Information Asset Access and Use Domain within the Information Layer of the Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture (QGEA).
It applies to all departments and public authorities as defined by the RTI Act and subsequent regulation.
Issue and review
This QGEA information standard is published within the QGEA and is administered by the ICT Policy and Coordination Office (IPCO). It was developed by IPCO and approved by the Director-General of the Department of Public Works on 16 December 2009.
This QGEA information standard will be reviewed on a biennial basis. The next review date is October 2011.
Implementation advice and toolboxes
Implementation advice and toolbox material have been provided to assist agencies in implementing the mandatory principles of the standard.
Mandatory principles
Principle 1 - Information is provided to the public to the maximum extent possible
The Queensland Government recognises the importance of providing information to the public. Agencies must maximise the public’s access to government information by:
- taking all reasonable steps to make government information easily available, including those who are disadvantaged geographically, socio-economically or because they have a disability
- releasing information administratively where ever possible so that formal application under the RTI Act or the IP Act is a last resort
- meeting their obligations to provide information under the conditions in agency specific acts and other legislation, such as the RTI Act and the IP Act.
Principle 2 - Information is exchanged between Queensland Government agencies and other governments
Accurate and complete information is essential for governments to provide the efficient delivery of public services. To achieve this, there are essential elements that need to be in place before government information can be shared and exchanged openly, easily and cost effectively.
Agencies must:
- develop the necessary governance models as a mechanism for exchanging information
- ensure that relevant legislation is taken into account when exchanging information, i.e. Information Privacy Act 2009
- ensure that they adhere to standardised approaches to information sharing (i.e. National Government Information Sharing Strategy) to support the delivery of government services and foster greater access by Australian governments to relevant and accurate information on issues such as national security and water
Principle 3 - Information is provided to the maximum extent possible free of charge
The Queensland Government aims to provide access to information at the lowest cost for the community and business to maximise the innovative use of government information across the community.
Agencies must:
- ensure that information that is easily accessible is provided free of charge where it relates to the processes of government and where the Government has the objectives of informing the public and securing public cooperation and community engagement
- provide information which is being shared between Queensland Government agencies and other governments at no cost or minimal cost if there are significant reasons for a charge to be made for the information
- ensure that, if a charge is being made for information:
- a charging policy is developed and regularly reviewed which sets out a transparent and consistent charging regime with the criteria for pricing decisions
- a register is maintained of those information assets where charges apply.
- ensure that relevant charges are made when information is supplied to meet statutory duties and standards of service set out in an Act or associated regulation
- ensure that if the agency identifies an opportunity for an information product (an enhanced means of accessing government information), the agency
- does not derive unfair commercial advantage from having custody of the information on which it is based
- provides access to this same original information to the private sector and public sector information providers on the same terms and conditions.
Principle 4 - Information is provided with transparent conditions for use
There is an expectation by the public with the emergence of new communication technologies that government information will be made accessible more readily and that this information will be available to be used and in many cases re-used.
Agencies must:
- ensure that government information to be released is licensed with one of the Government Information Licensing Framework (GILF) licences or a licence (restrictive) which supports the GILF policy benefits
- ensure that their government websites continue to display copyright notices and statements and link to the appropriate GILF licences so the conditions of use are provided at the point of access.