GIPA requests

Access to ILGA information

ILGA makes information available under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) in the following ways:

1. as open access information 
2. through proactive release of information 
3. through informal access 
4. in response to a formal access (GIPA) application.

1. Open access information

ILGA publishes the following open access information as required under the GIPA Act:

• ILGA Agency Information Guide
• ILGA Charter
• ILGA Code of Conduct
• ILGA’s Public Interest Disclosure Policy
• Data Breach Policy
• ILGA Strategic Plan
• ILGA Annual reports
• other documents tabled in Parliament concerning ILGA
• a disclosure log of information released under a GIPA decision that may be of interest to other members of the public (noting that the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS) is managing this process on behalf of ILGA)
• a record of any open access information that is not made publicly available due to an overriding public interest against disclosure.

2. Proactive release

ILGA authorises the proactive release of information, where appropriate, to meet its objectives of open, accountable and transparent regulation. This includes:

• delegations of statutory functions
• board meeting notices and outcomes 
• decision documents where appropriate
• fact sheets, guidelines and reports
• ILGA publications and guidelines
• discussion/research papers.

If information is not available on ILGA's website, members of the public can suggest information for proactive disclosure. Please contact the Office of ILGA. 

3. Informal access requests for information

Anyone can request any type of information from ILGA. Information is made available in response to an informal request unless there are good reasons for not doing so, such as considerations that must be taken into account before deciding if the information can be released. ILGA may redact parts of the information or attach conditions such providing a view-only version where the requested information is sensitive and should remain confidential.

Please contact the Office of ILGA if you would like to make an informal request for records or information.

4. GIPA applications

Where requests cannot be dealt with informally, a formal application can be made under the GIPA Act. This gives a person a legal right to access the information unless there is an overriding public interest against release. 

DCITHS handles GIPA applications on behalf of ILGA. There is an application fee of $30 for all formal access applications. Some applications may also carry processing charges of $30 per hour. DCITHS will let you know in advance if this applies to your application. DCITHS will not release information if there is an overriding public interest against its disclosure.

You can make a formal application by completing a Government Information Public Access (GIPA) application form. Then email the form to information@dciths.nsw.gov.au or send it to DCITHS at the following address:

Attn: Legal Officer (GIPA request)
Office of the General Counsel
Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
GPO Box 5341
Sydney, NSW, 2000

Under the GIPA Act, DCITHS can only accept access applications that:

• are sent in writing to the DCITHS address above
• clearly indicate the applicant is making an access application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW)
• include an application fee of $30
• clearly name the applicant, and provide a return postal or email address 
• include enough information for DCITHS to identify the information you’re asking for.

If your application does not include all the above, it will be invalid and will not be processed. If that happens, DCITHS will let you know how to make a valid application where possible.

Otherwise, DCITHS will write to you acknowledging receipt of a valid access application within 5 working days. DCITHS will deal with your application within 20 working days (subject to any extension allowed for under the Act). If any extension of time is required to deal with your application, DCITHS will let you know in writing.

Requests for personal information can also be made under the GIPA Act or the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

Review of a decision

You have the right to request a review of a GIPA decision. Please read the NSW Information and Privacy Commission’s publication Your review rights under the GIPA Act.

Contracts

Section 27 of the GIPA Act requires all government contracts with the private sector, valued over $150,000, must be kept on a register. These contracts are published on the NSW Government tender's website. 

Contact ILGA

General enquiries

Mail: GPO Box 4012, Sydney, NSW 2001

Email: office@ilga.nsw.gov.au