Celebrate Open Gov Week 2024 and get to know Queensland’s new Information Commissioner

Open Gov Week is a global celebration held from 27 to 31 May 2024, involving change-makers and advocates in government and the civil society aiming to make their communities stronger, more open, participatory, inclusive and accountable.

Open Gov Week also seeks to raise awareness around things like protecting the right to information, fighting corruption, opening up budgets, improving digital governance, expanding access to justice, ensuring media freedom and enhancing public participation.

OIC will be supporting this year’s campaign and encouraging other public sector agencies to get on-board by upholding information access rights and understanding the importance of openness, transparency and accountability. Together these things help to build trust between the community and government.

As part of Open Gov Week, staff at OIC recently sat down with Queensland’s new Information Commissioner Joanne Kummrow for a Q&A.

Ms Kummrow started her three-year tenure as Information Commissioner (IC) in April, and prior to joining OIC, she served as Public Access Deputy Commissioner in Victoria. She brings a wealth of experience in information privacy and public sector integrity to the position. Read on below to learn more about her thoughts on priorities and challenges for OIC going forward, her goals for the first 90 days, and her interests outside of work.

Q. Joanne, can you tell us about your background?

I was born and raised in Melbourne, and moved to Queensland at the start of April to take up my new role. In terms of my career, I haven’t travelled a linear path. I studied an Arts/Law degree and my original plan was to work in immigration law, combining my Mandarin and law studies. I had an opportunity to move to China, which lead me to work as a Visa Officer at the Australian-Consul General in Shanghai.

On returning to Australia and completing my degree, I joined a major law firm. While I gained valuable experience working in corporate law, my passion was in working with people and the law. In particular, the intersection between the citizen and the exercise of government power and decision making.

I worked at the Law Institute of Victoria and then the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office. For the past six years, I served as the Public Access Deputy Commissioner at the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner, where I oversighted compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.

Q. What do you want to achieve in your first 90 days as IC?

My primary focus is on getting to know everyone at the OIC; understanding their role and what they love about their work and the organisation.

I’m also engaging with key stakeholders, including other integrity agencies, to understand their work and explore future possibilities for collaboration. I’m also keen to understand the experience of government departments in their interactions with OIC, and to hear about their priorities and future projects that are relevant to OIC’s legislative functions. Our best work will be in raising awareness and supporting the public sector to do the right thing in respecting information rights.

There are a number of projects underway at OIC and my focus is on continuing to foster an environment that is committed to continuous improvement and stewarding a plan for its future as a modern independent regulator.

Q. What priorities and challenges do you see OIC tackling over the next 12-24 months?

There is a great deal we need and want to do at OIC. The challenge is always prioritising your ‘To do’ list! OIC is going through significant change as we start implementing the new IPOLA legislative reforms and associated changes to the things we do and how we operate, on top of having come through a period of substantial change in key personnel.

At the heart of what we do is the Queensland community and the government agencies we oversight and regulate. We need to ensure they are aware of and understand the important role they play in working in a transparent and accountable way, and ensure the public’s personal information is collected and used consistently with the human right to privacy.

Q. How would you describe your leadership style?

Respect, trust, collaboration, integrity and diversity are important values to me. I’m motivated by the purpose of our organisation, and I see every one of my OIC colleagues as an individual that brings value to their team and the work of the OIC.

I have a focus on good communication and being open and transparent in the way in which myself, or OIC, goes about making decisions, particularly where they impact on others. My door is always open (both physical and virtual) and I always welcome staff to tell me what’s on their mind.

Q. What do you like doing in your spare time?

My weekdays are busy and structured, so I appreciate being able to take a more relaxed approach on the weekend. I enjoy spending time with my family and seeking out new and interesting things to do and explore. We recently went to an amateur theatre performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘Danny the Champion of the World’ in the quirky 1960s Brisbane Arts Theatre… and I’m a lover of nature and the outdoors. A walk along the river, or through the Botanic Gardens or Roma Street Gardens is my idea of a great Sunday in Brisbane. I also love a good weekend market. (You haven’t asked me, but I think its best that I remain silent about my AFL team out of concern I may cause offence!)