Let’s get digital A review of online proactive disclosure practices by government agencies

A community attitudes survey of Queenslanders found that 95% of participants consider the right to access government information is important or very important,  and 91% agree that public access to government-held information is necessary to maintain transparency and accountability.

From a community standpoint, timely and easy access to government-held information aligns with the reasonable expectation that, in a digital world, information should be publicly accessible via government websites and online tools. When government websites and online tools are well-designed and used to proactively release information, community members can ‘self-serve’ to find information about an agency’s operations.

Between the financial years 2018–19 to 2023-24,  there was a notable 27% increase in the number of RTI requests lodged with Queensland government agencies.

While the specific factors contributing to this upward trend have not yet been fully analysed, it is evident that there is a growing demand within the community to exercise their right to access government-held information, particularly personal information. This increase in RTI requests places significant pressure on the limited resources of government agencies, which are required to process RTI requests within the statutory timeframe of 25 business days.

When the rising demand for formal access to information is not able to be met with appropriate resourcing, delays in processing requests are likely to occur. Such delays can result in extended waiting periods for community members to obtain information requested.

In some cases, this may lead to deemed refusals, which can trigger external review processes and further prolong the time required until individuals can access government-held information.

Public confidence and trust in government and its processes can be detrimentally impacted when individuals cannot access the information they need, when they need it.

Proactive release of government-held information builds public trust and confidence and reduces the need for RTI requests. It also provides for more efficient and timely access by the community to information.

Agencies that proactively share non-personal information through their websites, rather than requiring individuals to request it via formal RTI requests, demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a culture of transparency. This approach aligns with the objectives of the RTI Act and reflects Parliament’s intent to promote open and accountable government.

Putting this into practice involves government agencies taking the lead by proactively publishing information and data using online tools and platforms. In today’s digital age, agency websites and social media platforms are efficient and effective tools for facilitating proactive disclosure, enhancing public trust and improving service delivery. Other mechanisms include publication schemes, disclosure logs and informal or administrative access schemes or procedures.

The review found that 63% of agency ratings met or exceeded the expected minimum standard for proactive disclosure, with 8% demonstrating innovative or excellent practices. However, 37% of agency ratings fell below the expected minimum standard, with 9% showing significant non-compliance with the RTI Act.

The hospital and health service sector performed the strongest, with 80% of ratings meeting or exceeding the minimum standard.

The local government and statutory authority sectors had the lowest compliance rates, with 56% and 52% of ratings meeting or exceeding the minimum standard, respectively.

Public sector and agency leaders play a key role in advancing the objects of the RTI Act, including creating an authorising environment for their agency to proactively and administratively release information.

The review identified that none of the 20 agencies reviewed demonstrated innovative or excellent practices in leadership commitment to proactive disclosure.

While 50% of agencies met the expected minimum standard, 45% had significant gaps or shortfalls against expected standards.

Overall, the review found that agencies are underutilising social media as a tool to promote transparency and proactive disclosure of their agency’s information and data.

The review found that 75% of agencies have not updated their publication schemes to comply with the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Qld) (IPOLA Act) amendments to the RTI Act, which introduce new requirements for publication schemes from 1 July 2025.

Of the 20 agencies reviewed, 12 agencies met the expected minimum standard, while three agencies failed to meet the standard, including one agency with no publication scheme available online.

In relation to the use of disclosure logs, the review found that 70% of agencies met or exceeded the expected minimum standard for disclosure logs, with one agency demonstrating innovative practices. However, three agencies lacked a disclosure log, while others had significant gaps, such as missing URL  links to documents or outdated entries.

The review found that 75% of agencies met or exceeded the expected minimum standard for administrative access arrangements, with five agencies demonstrating innovative practices. Although, the review identified that many agencies of the 20 agencies reviewed did not promote their administrative access arrangements effectively, missing opportunities to reduce reliance on formal RTI applications.

The review found that all 20 agencies reviewed had a Right to Information or RTI webpage, with 60% meeting or exceeding the expected minimum standard.

Common issues identified by the review included outdated content, broken links, and inconsistent advice about legislative application processes.

The department sector performed best, while the local government sector had the most significant gaps.

Queensland public sector agency leaders within 12 months:

• Communicate and promote transparency, proactive disclosure, and a commitment to the right to information through tailored online content, including websites, social media and annual reports.

Queensland public sector agencies within 12 months:

• Develop and publish an up-to-date and operable online publication scheme that complies with the current requirements of section 21 of the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld), as amended by the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Qld).
• Where online publication is not practicable, provide clear guidance on how the public can access the publication scheme.

Queensland public sector agencies within 12 months:

• Review and revise their disclosure logs to ensure they are up-to-date, compliant with the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld), and include direct links to documents wherever practicable.

Queensland public sector agencies within 12 months:

• Publish dedicated administrative access webpage content that:
• Identifies and links to the types of information available through administrative access arrangements.
• Incorporates online portals or interactive forms to facilitate access.
• Includes direct contact details for community enquiries.

Queensland public sector agencies within 12 months:

• Conduct a review of their online RTI content to ensure:
  • Compliance with the Right to Information Act 2009 (Qld), including amendments introduced by the Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (Qld).
  • Links to RTI resources are appropriate for the agency and consistent.
  • Online pathways lead to a single, accurate and up-to-date source of information.