‘Worsening’: Tasmanian Ombudsman reveals delays and errors in RTI decisions
Tasmania’s new Ombudsman has reported a “very high percentage of errors in decision-making” by public authorities in Right to Information complaints that reached his office.
The Ombudsman has reported a “very high percentage of errors in decision-making” by Tasmanian public authorities in Right to Information complaints that reached his office.
Incoming Ombudsman Grant Davies, in his annual report, reported that 86 per cent of his decisions in Right to Information (RTI) complaints had set aside a finding made by a government department, council or other public body during the 2024-25 year.
Mr Davies also noted a number of other problems with Tasmania’s Right to Information system, including increasing backlogs and delays, particularly at the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP), in which child sexual abuse victim-survivors were attempting to access their own personal information.
Mr Davies noted he’d also observed instances of poor record-keeping and information management by Tasmanian public authorities, which had “led to the inadvertent release of personal information in implementing RTI decisions”.
He also said there was a continued lack of regular training and guidance material to help RTI delegates, particularly new ones.
However, he praised public authorities for their “continued high levels of positive engagement” when his office attempted to resolve matters without a formal decision, or to promote more transparent practices.
He also noted his office had made significant progress in reducing the backlog of external reviews before his office, closing 85 this financial year, the most in any reporting year to date and reducing numbers to their lowest point in almost 10 years.
“Complaints about delays in people accessing their own information from DECYP have continued, with even more significant delays reported,” Mr Davies said.
“This is a concern noted in previous annual reports and which appears to be worsening.”
He urged the government to ensure the child sexual abuse commission of inquiry’s recommendations to improve information access were fully implemented.
The report revealed that alongside difficulty in accessing government records of personal information for child sexual abuse survivors, the most common topics of complaints that reached his office were concerns over cancellations of public space bookings for gender identity events, and concerns regarding the Tasmanian salmon farming industry.
Greens Democracy and Integrity Spokeswoman Cassy O’Connor said secrecy was typical of the Liberal government.
“It’s right on brand for the Rockliff Government that 86 per cent of its decisions not to release information to the public have been set aside or varied on appeal to the Ombudsman,” she said.
“The Premier makes claims of greater transparency and accountability, but this number has actually increased in the last year.
:Information which is required to be publicly released is overwhelmingly and consistently being kept secret. It shows starkly the culture of secrecy inside the Liberal Government. And it’s only getting worse.
“It’s unacceptable that the delays for victim-survivors accessing their own information have worsened. Improving access to own-information was a key recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry, and it must be acted upon.
”The Liberals are treating Tasmanians like mushrooms, keeping them in the dark. It’s toxic to democracy.
“Premier Rockliff must break the culture of secrecy within his government. He can start by implementing the recommendations for public interest reform from the RTI review.”
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Originally published as ‘Worsening’: Tasmanian Ombudsman reveals delays and errors in RTI decisions
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