More than ninety per cent of Australians believe their right to access information from the government is important, according to a nationwide survey.

Australian Information commissioners and ombudsmen from across Australia have released the findings of their third cross-jurisdictional study of community attitudes on access to government information.

The 2023 Cross-jurisdictional Information Access Survey provides a broad insight into citizens’ views and experiences of the right to access government information. Key findings include:

• A vast majority – 9I per cent – of Australians believe their right to access information from government sources is important. This is consistent across the jurisdictions.
• The majority of respondents in each jurisdiction are aware that they have the right to access information from government departments and agencies, with respondents from WA and Queensland most likely to be aware of this right.
• NSW respondents requested information more than other states
• The majority of respondents successfully accessed the information they requested. Respondents who requested information from federal agencies had a success rate of 85 per cent. At a state and territory level, success in attempting to access information fell within the moderate to high range (68 per cent to 78 per cent).
• The success rate varied depending on the type of government entity and the kind of information requested. Respondents had the most success accessing information held by public universities and TAFEs, and the least success accessing information held by state and territory ministers and their staff.

It’s hoped the insights in the study will help inform the commissioners and ombudsmen’s activities to promote and support the right to access government information, particularly in the age of fast-flowing digital information.

“The study results highlight the importance the community places on the right to access government information, and the duty of governments to promote and enable this significant right,” the commissioners and ombudsmen said in a joint statement.

“The results demonstrate the continued need for information commissioners and ombudsmen to encourage governments to promote greater and full access to information they hold.

“It will also inform ongoing work to advance an effective and contemporary model of open government that supports public participation and is accountable and transparent.”

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