A new Information Commissioner has been appointed to lead the Information and Privacy Commission NSW (IPC).
Rachel McCallum will commence a three-year term as Information Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the IPC on 4 March 2024. The appointment follows a recruitment process undertaken by the Public Service Commission.
The IPC is an independent statutory authority that administers NSW legislation dealing with privacy and access to government information.
As Information Commissioner, Ms McCallum’s statutory role will include promoting public awareness and understanding of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) providing information, advice, assistance, and training to agencies and the public; dealing with complaints about agencies; investigating agencies’ systems, policies, and practices; and reporting on compliance with the GIPA Act.
Ms McCallum brings to the position thirty years in legal practice and policy development, including in the reform of information access rights, privacy, electoral regulation, local government, and integrity agencies.
Her extensive experience in legal, regulatory and governance positions spans the private and public sector, including her most recent role as Executive Director and General Counsel at the NSW Electoral Commission. She has previously served in senior positions at Transport for NSW and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
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Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“I welcome Ms McCallum to the role and look forward to working with her.
“I also wish to thank Elizabeth Tydd who held the role for 10 years and departed the Information and Privacy Commission NSW on 2 February this year.
“During her time as Information Commissioner, there was a significant shift in the information access landscape in NSW. Ms Tydd oversaw a significant maturing of agencies’ practices, and I am confident Ms McCallum will continue this vital work.”
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Jihad Dib said:
“Building trust and transparency is a key focus of this important statutory role, giving the people of NSW confidence about the way access to government information is managed.
“By empowering people to understand their rights to access information, and guiding government agencies to implement good practice, the work of the Information Commissioner supports accountability in government and our democratic systems.
“I look forward to working with Commissioner McCallum and congratulate her on the appointment.”
Information Commissioner Rachel McCallum said:
“The Information and Privacy Commission serves a critical integrity role for public administration in NSW. It is a privilege to be appointed as Information Commissioner and CEO of the IPC and to lead this work over the next few years.
“Information access and privacy issues are central to the fair and effective adoption of new technologies to deliver public services.”
