With the chair’s leave I take this opportunity to acknowledge the committee’s role and in doing so provide a brief opening statement outlining the important work of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
I appear today with the assistance of the FOI Commissioner Ms Toni Pirani and with the chair’s leave the Privacy Commissioner Ms Carly Kind appearing via link and Executive General Manager, Information Rights Ms Ashleigh McDonald.
Supported by our new organisational structure we are better positioned to operate as a contemporary and proactive regulator. Some of our recent initiatives and outcomes demonstrate our future direction. We have:
- commenced preliminary inquiries into the privacy impacts of connected vehicles
- commenced the development of a Children’s Online Privacy Code
- developed a public facing dashboard to ensure that agency freedom of information (FOI) data is reported and presented more effectively
- We will shortly deliver a report examining the use of messaging apps by Australian government agencies
- We are building our strategic intelligence capabilities.
To deliver a proactive and contemporary regulatory approach to benefit the Australian community, agencies and industry alike, we will also focus on building staffing capabilities through an investment in new ways of working and professional development. Within our budgetary parameters, our technology and systems will also be a focus to support our new direction.
However, we are also mindful to deal with our core case management responsibilities and reduce our backlog in both FOI and privacy cases. Our resources are challenged by a 25% increase in FOI Information Commissioner review (IC review) applications compared to the same period last year. This is against a backdrop of an increase in FOI IC review applications over the last 5 years that is estimated to double the number of FOI IC review applications received in 2019–20. We also face an overall growth in privacy case work and increasing complexity in our case work arising from digital services and emerging technologies. This has a particular impact on our privacy case work.
Our enforcement capabilities have been assisted by an increase of funding in recognition of the complexities of enforcement. Similarly designated funding has been provided to the OAIC to develop the Children’s Online Privacy Code and guidance regarding the social media age limit.
Our appearance and preparatory papers are informed by data as at 15 January 2025. However, to assist the committee, as at 23 February 2025 the OAIC 2024–25 case statistics are as follows:
- 1,279 FOI review applications were received and 1,494 finalised.
- 196 FOI complaints were received and 216 finalised.
- 1,966 privacy complaints were received and 1,687 finalised.
During this period, we also finalised a number of complex privacy matters that have delivered a strong enforcement message and importantly established our expectations of the regulated community. In doing so, we are upholding the rights of privacy and information access enshrined in statute by the Australian Parliament and better serving the values and expectations of the Australian community.
I wish to acknowledge the significant work and expertise of the OAIC leadership in taking forward this major change program and recognise with gratitude OAIC staff for their dedication and commitment as we secure the fundamental human rights of privacy and information access in an increasingly complex environment.
