The Acting Information Commissioner, Mr. Jan Liebaers, has issued an invitation to all candidates in the upcoming election to meet with him and/or members of his staff to discuss the principles and operation of the Freedom of Information Law (2015 Revision).

In the letter, Mr. Liebaers said: “Freedom of Information (FOI) remains as current a topic today as it was when the Law first came into effect.” Although understanding of Freedom of Information continues to improve, issues of openness, transparency and accountability are important features of good governance that are at the core of a democratic form of government.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is currently preparing to merge with the Office of the Complaints Commissioner (OCC) into a single Office of the Ombudsman. In addition, the ICO has been working with the Hon. Attorney General to prepare the implementation of the Data Protection Bill, which was recently passed in the Legislative Assembly.

Candidates are welcome to visit the ICO as individuals, or along with any colleagues or running mates who wish to learn more about FOI, or have questions about it. Candidates are encouraged to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for an appointment. The full text of the letter is attached.

This initiative follows a similar invitation extended by the former Information Commissioner, Mrs. Jennifer Dilbert, prior to the 2013 elections.

IMAGE: Letter to candidates. Click to enlarge.