As Queensland heads into another disaster season, OIC is reminding government agencies to strengthen how they protect, manage and recover public records.
From cyclones and floods to bushfires, recent years have shown how quickly disasters disrupt communities and the services they rely on. When records are damaged, lost or inaccessible, the impacts can last well beyond the emergency itself — affecting decision-making, service delivery, accountability and community recovery.
Good recordkeeping is also central to public access and transparency. Queensland has a framework for managing and giving access to government information incorporating policies, standards and legislation including the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act), Information Privacy Act 2009, Public Sector Act 2022, and Public Records Act 2023.
Under the RTI Act, the community has a right to access government-held information unless there is a good reason not to. That right relies on records being accurate, complete and accessible when needed.
Under the Public Records Act, government agencies must identify and manage risks to public records across their full lifecycle, including risks linked to disasters and emergencies.
Disaster resilience starts well before an event occurs. Good records management helps agencies maintain business continuity, support recovery efforts and preserve the evidence of decisions and actions taken before, during and after an emergency. Preparing now can reduce disruption, protect vital information and prevent irreversible loss.
Public records are more than administrative files — they are essential public assets that support trust in government and help communities recover and rebuild.
With disaster season approaching, now is the time for agencies to review record management practices and ensure Queensland’s public records remain secure, accessible and recoverable when they matter most.