The Solomon Lecture 

Initially established under the repealedFreedom of Information Act 1992(Qld), the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) continues under theRightto Information Act 2009(Qld) (RTI Act) and theInformation Privacy Act 2009(Qld) (IP Act) as Queensland’s independent statutory body promoting access to government-held information and protecting people’s personal information as held by the public sector.OIC provides information and assistance to the community and support to over 600 Queensland public sector entities, including Queensland Government departments, local government, public universities and statutory authorities on understanding their rights or responsibilities under the Acts.OIC also reviews agency decisions regarding access and amendment applications, deals with privacy complaints, and monitors and reports on agency compliance.More information available here

The Office of the Information Commissioner, Queensland

Professor Ken Smith, Chief Executive and Dean of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government, will deliver this year’s lecture on ‘Trust and Transparency’.
Lecture synopsis:
Globally there is an unprecedented diminution of trust in our core democratic institutions. Australia and Queensland are not immune. Liberal democracies are beset by, at best, growing illiberalism and at worst outright authoritarianism.
The lecture will explore how open, transparent government is threatened from a range of ideological extremes. Those who constantly question our liberal democracy and its values, including fundamental human rights and the rule of law, neither value good government nor vital elements of it, such as Right to Information legislation. Important reforms like this ensure public institutions are open, accountable and deliver institutional integrity, as well as uphold valid community expectations of the standards by which all public officers need to be judged.
Now, more than at other times over the last few decades, it is important to not only reflect upon but embolden important reforms championed by Dr Solomon AM in post-Fitzgerald Queensland. Dr Solomon’s ongoing legacy will be the focus of the lecture with Professor Smith reminding us of the obligation to ensure public institutions are clear about the need, at all times, to serve the public interest, rather than narrower sectional interests. Professor Smith argues that it is only with this ongoing focus that we can expect that public trust in our democratic institutions will be restored.
Ms Sonia Cooper, Acting Commission Chief Executive, Public Service Commission, Queensland, will also speak at the event.

Level 41

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