11 Dec 2019

Ombudman launches OIA compliance review follow-up

8:58 pm on 11 December 2019

The Chief Ombudsman is launching a follow up investigation to see whether government agencies have improved their Official Information Act compliance.

Dame Beverley Wakem

Dame Beverley Wakem Photo: Supplied

In 2015, former Chief Ombudsman Dame Beverly Wakem initiated the "Not a game of hide and seek" investigation, in response to growing concerns some agencies or Ministers were 'gaming' the OIA.

The investigation found while most agenices overall met the required standards, there were definite improvements to be made.

Current Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said now was the right time to revisit this to see whether the 12 agencies involved had addressed any of the weaknesses identified.

He said less than a year out from an election, voters needed access to as much information as possible.