Journalist and award-winning foreign correspondent, Professor Greste, will begin proceedings with his keynote ‘Journalists and Public Servants: Building trust in an age of misinformation.’
Afterwards, a panel discussion will feature senior leaders with extensive insight and practical knowledge of building trust, integrity and transparency across the public sector at state and federal levels.
The 2026 Solomon Lecture panel consists of:
- Melissa Coade (panel facilitator and Journalist at The Mandarin),
- Tom Rogers AO (former Australian Electoral Commissioner),
- Linda Waugh (Queensland Integrity Commissioner), and
- Stephanie Winson (Queensland Right to Information Commissioner).
This year’s UNESCO-inspired theme for IAID is Fact vs fake: Tackling information disorder in the digital age. It takes aim at the growing challenge of misinformation, disinformation and mal-information (collectively known as information disorder).
Ms Winson says: “I encourage everyone across the public sector and community to join us for the Solomon Lecture, whether that’s attending in-person or watching the livestream. This is OIC’s signature event celebrating International Access to Information Day (IAID) on 28 September and the perfect opportunity to consider the important role played by the public service and an independent media in ensuring that the community has access to factual credible information. ”
Visit the IAID page to register for in-person attendance at Parliament House, or join the livestream on the day.
About the panel
Melissa Coade is News Editor for The Mandarin in the Canberra parliamentary press gallery, with more than 15 years’ experience across newsrooms. Her reporting focuses on democracy, politics, integrity, anti-corruption, human rights and social justice. Melissa’s legal and journalism background make her the perfect facilitator to draw out the key themes for discussion.
Tom Rogers AO is a senior Australian public sector leader best known as the longest-serving Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) from 2014-2024. Under his leadership, he strengthened electoral integrity and the AEC became Australia’s most trusted and highest-rated federal agency for public satisfaction. He now holds several advisory and board positions.
Linda Waugh has served as Queensland’s Integrity Commissioner since 2022 and will commence as Queensland’s new Ombudsman and Inspector of Detention Services on 23 November 2026. She has held senior positions at Commonwealth and state levels across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, with a strong focus on trust in public institutions and integrity in leadership.
Stephanie Winson has been Queensland’s Right to Information Commissioner since January 2023. Previously, she held a range of senior public sector roles in New Zealand, including with the Office of the New Zealand Ombudsman. Prior to that she was the CEO and Secretary of the National Assembly of Namibia. Her work has focussed on good public administration in the democratic context.