The State’s Ombudsman, Richard Connock, has again called for reform to the Right to Information system. He must be growing weary of being ignored by the Rockliff Government.
Tasmanians’ ability to access information from government is a critical part of a functioning democracy. It allows the people to keep government and its agencies accountable.
For ten years, the Liberals have parroted lines about transparency, claiming they are committed to a robust, transparent RTI system. The evidence speaks for itself. Delays, redactions, outright denial of information, often in breach of the Act, have become the norm under the Liberals.
A staggering 80% of government or agency decisions to deny or restrict access to information under the Act were varied or set aside. That points to a big problem in a government which has secrecy in its middle name.
If the Liberal government doesn’t have a problem with being open and honest with the people they were elected to serve, they must reform Tasmania’s Right to Information system now.
