Media release: It’s OFFICIAL: Audit report finds government agencies need to better identify, classify and disclose information assets

Queensland’s Office of the Information Commissioner audit report on how three government departments identify and classify their OFFICIAL information assets was tabled in Parliament today (28 March 2023).

OFFICIAL information is routine information without special sensitivity or handling requirements. The audit report found opportunities to improve accountability and transparency through greater proactive disclosure of government-held information.

Government agencies collect, hold and use a significant amount of information. Under the Act, they should release information as a matter of course unless there is a good reason not to. This is referred to as the ‘push model’.

Queensland Information Commissioner Rachael Rangihaeata said, “Assessing the confidentiality element of their information assets supports agencies to maximise publication of assets suitable for publication or release.”

Information assets vary greatly between government agencies. A complete, current and accurate information asset register can help them manage the assets consistent with the rules governing access and use of the information.

Gaps in the registers increase the risk of unauthorised disclosure, misuse or unavailability of the information. This also means that the agencies cannot be sure that they are maximising public disclosure of the information they hold.

When considering whether to publish information, government agencies need to balance the information security risks, including privacy risks, against the disclosure benefits. They also need to consider other obligations they may have about the information.

“The audit raises issues relevant to all government agencies. We made one recommendation to all agencies – publish their information asset register, or a version of it, on their websites.”

This tells the community what information an agency holds. It is consistent with the push model and reinforces that access under a legislative process is a last resort.”

“When government agencies publish information proactively, the community can participate in public debate more knowledgeably. A proactive disclosure approach increases accountability and transparency. It helps build trust in government. It may also reduce the need for formal applications under the Right to Information Act 2009 (the Act).”  Ms Rangihaeata said.

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