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Right to information (GIPA)

 

Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA)

 

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) replaced the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW) from 1 July 2010. GIPA is a right to information law.

The right to information laws promote openness, accountability and transparency and makes government agencies more proactive in providing information to the public.

The GIPA Act applies to all NSW Government agencies, including departments, ministers and their staff, local councils and state-owned corporations.

The object of the GIPA Act is to make more information publicly available, provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community, and provide appropriate protection for an individual's privacy.

The GIPA Act makes it easier for applicants to access information from state and local agencies by placing less emphasis on formal applications. The central premise of this Act is that government information should be disclosed, and only withheld if it is necessary to do so in the public interest.

 

Ways to access government information

 

The Right to Information system in NSW aims to foster responsible and representative government that is open, accountable, fair and effective.

Under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (the GIPA Act) there are four ways that government information will be released:

 

Mandatory release

 

State and local government agencies are required to publish specific open access information on their website, free of charge. For example, this could include a register of government contracts, policies, media releases and annual reports.

 

Proactive release

 

State and local government agencies are encouraged to make as much other information as possible publicly available in an appropriate manner, including on the internet. The information should be available free of charge or at the lowest reasonable cost. For example, frequently requested information or information of public interest may be readily available.

 

Informal release

 

State and local government agencies are authorised to release other information in response to an informal request, subject to any reasonable conditions an agency imposes. For example, such information could include requests for personal information by the individual concerned.

 

Formal release

 

State and local government agencies may release information in response to a formal access application. This is the last resort, if the information is not available in any other way.

 

Contract information (eTender)

 

Part 1 of the GIPA Act (Open Access Requirements of Contract Register) requires that contract information is made publicly available through the NSW Government eTendering website.

eTender lists upcoming, current and closed business opportunities that have been provided by agencies. This site also provides details of awarded contracts over $150,000 in value.

Find NSLHD contract information at NSW eTendering website External Link

 

See also

 

Chevron PDF icon GIPA Application form

ChevronPDF icon​ Disclosure Log​

​ Chevron PDF icon NSLHD GIPA Annual Reporting Tool​