Qld Govt launches review into Public Records Act

The Queensland Government has launched a review into the state’s Public Records Act 2002 to modernise the legislation and introduce special provisions for Indigenous communities.

Retired state Supreme Court judge Justice John Byrne will lead the review into the Act, which is the legislative framework which establishes the Queensland State Archives and ensures public records are made, managed, kept and preserved for current and future generations.

The Public Records Act is designed to ensure that public access to records is consistent with the principles of the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009, and applies to around 500 agencies.

But Leeanne Enoch — Queensland’s Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts — said the 20-year-old legislation does not take into account digital advancements since it was passed or adequately represent all Queensland communities.

“The Act predates the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 so does not recognise the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, nor does it provide any special provisions for First Nations communities,” she said.

“I am delighted that Justice Byrne has agreed to conduct this important work to create a new and more comprehensive and inclusive Public Records Act which will enable efficient recordkeeping in the digital environment and will include First Nations perspectives.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Fabio Balbi