The Information Act provides for the appointment of an Information Commissioner for the Northern Territory, who is supported by the Office of the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner will promote public awareness of freedom of information and privacy, and will provide guidance to public sector organisations about freedom of information, the correction of personal information and the protection of privacy. The Information Commissioner will also be able to conduct audits of public sector agency records to determine compliance with the privacy provisions of the Act.
The Information Commissioner will provide assistance to members of the community to enable them to exercise their rights under the Act. From 1 July 2004, this will include assisting persons who have a complaint about a freedom of information application or process, or a privacy issue.
Members of the community who have a complaint about the handing
of a freedom of information or privacy issue by the Department of
the Chief Minister are encouraged to discuss the issue with the
Department’s Information Manager. If this does not resolve
the issue, the Information Commissioner will be able to investigate,
mediate and conduct hearings into complaints. This means that complaints
and dispute resolution can be dealt with quickly and inexpensively,
with the focus being on mediation, education and improvement, rather
than on litigation.