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PUBLIC INFORMATION AMENDMENT BILL (Serial 156) Bill presented and read a first time. Ms MANISON (Wanguri): Mr Deputy Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a second time. This bill to amend the Public Information Act aims to strengthen the existing act, which is in place to set up what is appropriate public information when funded by Territory taxpayers. This bill aims to make the standards and expectations around what is appropriate public information far clearer, especially in light of recent government advertising which has come into question. As honourable members would agree, when advertising and information is produced by government for the public, Territorians expect that the information is accurate, factual and not promoting the interest of political parties or politicians. Territorians want to have faith in the government of the day that advertising and information it produces is in the public interest and is not funding items that should be paid for by political parties. This is a reasonable expectation and this bill sets clearer and more transparent standards in what is appropriate expenditure of government advertising and information. The main amendments to this bill seek to strengthen it by inserting criterion standards that were previously available under the public information guidelines. These guidelines were made by the relevant minister and were available to the Auditor-General to take into account in making a determination under the act. The public information guidelines, which were previously available under the act, were revoked by the government in November 2013 after receiving advice from the Solicitor-General. By incorporating these previously guidelines into this bill, it will set a high standard in what is appropriate public information to ensure it is in line with the expectations of Territorians. The allowance within the Public Information Act for the minister to enhance and further strengthen public information guidelines remains to allow for future valid guidelines to be created if it is determined that they are required. In turning to the bill clauses, in clause 3 of the bill section 2A is inserted into the act which outlines the object of the bill and sets out that all public information must meet at least one of the criteria that is outlined. These criteria were previously available in the former guidelines which accompanied the Public Information Act and this clause inserts them into the act. This ensures that public information meets at least one of the following criteria: (a) the information serves to do any of the following:
(ii) achieve awareness of a new or amended law; (iii) improve public safety or personal security; (iv) encourage responsible behaviour; (v) preserve order in the event of an emergency; (vi) promote awareness of rights, responsibilities, duties or entitlements; (vii) encourage usage or familiarity with government products or services. (i) report on the performance in relation to government undertakings; (ii) communicate functions of government (for example, education campaigns, recruitment, community engagement, expression of interest, future plans); (iii) communicate on matters of social cohesion, civic pride, community spirit or tolerance. Clause 4 inserts Part 1A into the bill which sets certain standards for giving public information and sets out that public information must be factual and arguments are presented objectively with data sourced, and that information must not comment on or attack views, policies or action of a political party or politician. Again, these sections were previously available in the guidelines that used to accompany the act. Clause 5 seeks to amend section 6 to insert section 6(2)(d) to provide that including in advertising and image of the holder or occupier of the office of a minister may contravene the act. Further amendments in section 6 are in place so this would not apply if the audience was interstate or overseas in order to enhance the effectiveness of the information. This also does not apply in a time of an emergency, for example, a cyclone or a flood, when there would be an expectation for leadership from the community. Clause 6 ensures that if the request for the review of public information is made to the Auditor-General by a member of the Assembly, the member will also receive a copy of the report on the findings of that review. Territorians a right to expect that public money is not used to promote political parties and politicians. These amendments will deliver a clearer set of rules about what is appropriate public information when paid for by Territory taxpayers. Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend the bill to honourable members and table the explanatory statement to accompany this bill. |