Information Disclosure Policy: A Toolkit for Pacific Governments

Commissioned by the Pacific Media and Communications Facility, an Australian Government, AusAID initiative, this Information Disclosure Policy Toolkit is a set of materials designed to provide Pacific policy-makers with the tools to develop a strong, practical, effective Information Disclosure Policy (IDP).

From the document: "Recognising that many policy-makers have limited time and resources, the Executive Summary has been developed both as a summary of the entire Toolkit, and to be used as a stand-alone briefing note which can be circulated to parliamentarians, officials and other key stakeholders as a general overview of the key issues.

Part 1 of the Toolkit provides more detailed background information. It identifies key challenges facing many Pacific island countries and discusses the value of information disclosure in dealing with many of these issues. This information can be used in support of more detailed Cabinet submissions and background papers. Part 1 also summarises the status of current information disclosure mechanisms, and sets out internationally recognised principles which will ideally underpin an effective access to information regime.

Part 2 of the Toolkit provides a generic Model Information Disclosure Policy (IDP) which can be used as an initial template for National IDPs throughout the Pacific. The Toolkit has been developed on the basis that the Model IDP will be contextualised to take account of local issues, resources and requirements. It is supported by detailed Explanatory Notes which provide explanations of key provision and guidance to officials on key areas which may need additional consideration when the Model IDP is being localised. The on-line version of the Toolkit provides hyperlinks from the Model IDP to the Explanatory Notes to assist readers to more easily access the issues."

Table of Contents

• How to Use the Toolkit
• Executive Summary
• Part 1: Background Pacific Challenges and Opportunities
• Current State in the Pacific
• Ad Hoc Information Channels
• Access to Information Laws and Policies
  
• The Value of Information Disclosure
• Supporting Sustainable Development
• Encouraging Equitable Economic Growth
• Supporting Decentralisation Efforts
• Improving Efficiency of Public Administration
  
• Entrenching Participatory Democracy
• Strengthening Responsible Media Reporting
  
• Reducing Conflict by Cementing Public Trust
• Supporting Human Rights
  
• Core Principles
• Maximum Disclosure
• Simple, Cost-Effective,Timely Access Processes
• Complaints
• Monitoring, Public Education and Training
• Part 2: Model Information Disclosure Policy
• Explanatory Notes
  
• Introduction: A Commitment to Open Government
  
• Coverage of the Policy
• Responsible Officers
• Presumption of Disclosure
• Ensuring Information Is Accessible by All
  
• Proactive Disclosure: by the Executive/Bureaucracy
  
• Proactive Disclosure: by Parliament
  
• Disclosing Information upon Request
  
• Government-Media Relations
• Complaints
• Information Management
  
• Training and Public Education
  
• Monitoring and Reporting
  
• Getting Started in Practice