Strengthening Tasmania’s Right to Information Framework

Cabinet documents will be released after 20 years as part of the Tasmanian Government’s next phase of its transparency agenda.

The Tasmanian Government has outlined its response to the Getting Back on Track Review of the State’s Right to Information (RTI) Framework.

Since 2014, the Government has delivered significant measures to improve transparency and accountability across Government.

The next phase of the Government’s ongoing transparency agenda is now underway, with a staged program of reforms being implemented to strengthen transparency, improve agency capability, and modernise the RTI system.

These reforms build on the Government’s Right to Information Uplift Project, which began in 2023, strengthening RTI practice across the Tasmanian State Service and improving public access to information.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff thanked Professor Tim McCormack and Adjunct Professor Rick Snell for their extensive work on the review, which included broad consultation.

“Since 2014, we have been delivering on our significant transparency agenda, with more information proactively released under our Liberal Government than ever before,” Premier Rockliff said.

“Diary disclosures, routine information across departments and gift registers are among some of the important improvements we’ve made to Government transparency and accountability.

“The Government supports 32 of the review’s recommendations in full or in principle, prioritising operational improvements and cultural change, including strengthening capability and training for RTI officers and improving consistency and responsiveness across agencies.

“Consistent with Australian Government practice, we will also explore mechanisms for the release of Cabinet information after 20 years.”

A cross-agency governance framework, including a new RTI Improvement Steering Committee, will oversee implementation.

“Our Government is delivering for Tasmania by ensuring Tasmania’s RTI system is modern, effective and accessible, supporting greater public trust and accountability,” Premier Rockliff said.

The Government's response will be tabled in Parliament today.