Published 15 August 2024
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) today welcomed the appointment of Ms Toni Pirani as Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner.
The Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP announced the appointment today.
Commissioner Pirani will assume the role of FOI Commissioner from tomorrow 16 August, when current FOI Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd will move into her new role as Australian Information Commissioner. This will follow the conclusion of Angelene Falk’s second term as the Australian Information Commissioner.
Commissioner Pirani’s appointment is for 12 months.
“Ms Pirani has considerable experience and expertise in FOI and the promotion of information access rights, as well as a strong record of service on behalf of the Australian public, and will be a great asset as we further harness the advantages of the three-Commissioner model,” Commissioner Tydd said.
“She has also played a significant role in arresting the growth of our backlog of Information Commissioner reviews, increasing the office’s ability to focus on more recent matters.”
Ms Pirani has been serving as Special Adviser, Freedom of Information Decisions, with the OAIC and has acted as the FOI Commissioner in 2013 and 2023–24.
Ms Pirani has 35 years’ experience in the Australian Public Service and has been responsible for establishing, leading and managing complex operations including two Royal Commissions and the office of the Interim National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention.
