Kiama Council put out a press release on 23 September announcing Right to Know Week NSW which runs from 23-29 September 2024. It’s about ‘Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector in NSW’, as transparency is a core pillar for supporting public participation in the public sector.

In NSW, members of the public can seek information directly from many public sector agencies such as NSW government departments, councils, universities, state-owned corporations and ministerial offices.

The release states, “Mandated openness under legislation is one reason the GIPA Act in NSW is a world-leading example of how to mainstream transparency in the public sector,” adding “Legally protected rights to access government information make public participation both possible and meaningful,” and further that, “Successful public participation can help create more responsive and effective policies and increase trust between community and public institutions.”

These statements seem at odds with the reality from Kiama Council, who have chosen to suppress the letter from ICAC that says they will not pursue an investigation on the three former Councillors, Keast, Rice and Renkema-Lang who were referred to ICAC from Kiama Council. They still have the post on their website that publicises the referral but have claimed that since they are in ‘caretaker mode’ they cannot make the exoneration letter from ICAC available. 

The press release makes it clear that “Some of this information is proactively available on websites or other publications, while other information needs to be requested,” and further that, “The public has a right to access information from Kiama Council.” Despite the request being made by the three councillors, there has been no access to the letter provided by Kiama Council. 

Since Kiama Council have stated, “Kiama Council is a proud Champion of Right to Know Week NSW 2024 and is committed to supporting public participation through greater transparency,” it is time for them to make good on that claim.