Tasmania Unveils 20-Year RTI Release Plan

Tasmanian Government Unveils Right to Information Reforms

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced the governments response to a critical review of the states Right to Information system. The key change is releasing cabinet documents after twenty years to enhance transparency. This move follows a report from last September that criticized a culture of concealing information and evading requests.

The review by experts Rick Snell and Tim McCormack proposed forty-three recommendations, including quicker releases of cabinet information after just ten years and clearer explanations for redactions. Currently, documents from the past twenty-five years require the previous premiers approval to be made public.

The government supports thirty-two of the reviews recommendations, such as improved training for officers, a new oversight committee, and more frequent information sharing across agencies. However, they rejected the idea of quicker releases immediately after decisions.

Reviewers welcome some progress but remain vigilant to ensure promises are fulfilled. Independent lawmakers like Meg Webb criticize the response as overdue and insufficient, arguing that the government only acted under pressure from the crossbench.

The twenty-year timeline for releasing cabinet documents aligns with the federal level, allowing policies to mature before becoming public. This aligns with post-election deals promoting greater openness in Tasmania.

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