Right to Know Week NSW 2022
Published on 22 September 2022
Right to Know Week is a campaign that aims to encourage NSW public sector agencies to improve their knowledge of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), and to raise awareness of a person’s right to access government held information in NSW.
Right to Know Week NSW 2022 runs from 26 September to 2 October. This year’s theme is Artificial Intelligence, e-Governance & Access to Information: Next steps in NSW digital government.
Government service delivery in NSW is increasingly digital, and more information is being collected, stored and applied using digital technology. These services allow NSW citizens to have more convenient transactions with government, are changing the way government handles information, and should make it easier for citizens to access government information.
The Right to Know remains crucial in this digital age. As governments continue to provide digital solutions to citizens including the use of artificial intelligence in decision-making, there is a requirement to preserve and promote the public interest, accountability, transparency and citizens’ right to information.
Clarence Valley Council is a proud Champion of Right to Know Week NSW 2022 and is committed to protecting the information access rights of citizens.
Accessing government information
In NSW, you have a right to access government information which is protected under the GIPA Act.
Government held information can include records and data about how a government agency works. Ensuring accountability by providing access to this information is vital to our participatory democracy.
There are four ways you can access government held information in NSW:
- Open access information
- Authorised proactive release
- Informal release of information
- Access application (also known as a formal application) for the release of information.
You have a right to access information from Clarence Valley Council. You can access information that we have made available on our website as open access information, or through an informal request or a formal request. For more information on how to access our information, click this link.
The Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) can also help you understand information access laws in NSW and give you information on how to assert your rights. Learn more by visiting the IPC’s Right to Know Week webpage