Information Act

• About the Act
• Applications and refusals
• Exemptions
• Information Commissioner
• Record Keeping
• Fees for Applications and Complaints
• Privacy
• Privacy Statement
• Forms

Information Commissioner

The Information Act enables the appointment of an Information Commissioner.

Under the Act, the Information Commissioner is able to accept complaints in relation to public sector organisations refusing requests for a review of a decision relating to an application to access information and alleged privacy interference. This includes complaints from third parties whose personal information may have been provided to another person without permission.

The Information Commissioner will be able to investigate, mediate and conduct hearings into complaints. This means that complaints and dispute resolution can be dealt with quickly and inexpensively, with the focus being on informality and mediation rather than on litigation.

However, review of decisions and complaints to the Information Commissioner will not be possible for the first 12 months of operation of the Act.

The Information Commissioner will also be able to conduct audits of public sector agency records to determine compliance with the privacy provisions of the Act.

In addition, the Information Commissioner can award damages (not exceeding $60 000) where actual loss or damage has been suffered by a complainant as a result of a privacy interference.