Obtaining Information from the Lachlan CMA
The Government Information Public Access (GIPA) Act 2009 provides a legal right of access to information held by government agencies, subject to certain grounds for refusal. The Act provides the main instrument through which the public can apply to access Government-held documents, where those documents are not already made publicly available.
The object of the GIPA Act is to open government information to the public by:
authorising and encouraging the proactive public release of government information by agencies, and
giving members of the public an enforceable right to access government information, and
providing that access to government information is restricted only when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
What is government information?
Government information is any record held by Lachlan CMA, by a private sector entity or the State Records Authority to which Lachlan CMA has an immediate right of access, or a record that is in the possession or under the control of a person in his or her capacity as a Lachlan CMA officer.
What Information can I access?
Lachlan CMA's policy is to be transparent and available. The public has a right to access most information held by Lachlan CMA as long as it does not breach privacy laws or have detrimental repercussions to any person or the environment.
If you would like access to a document or information which is not available on our website please contact us via email at lachlan@cma.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 885 747.
The following options are ways in which Lachlan CMA's information can be accessed under the GIPA Act.
1. Mandatory disclosure
Open access information is disclosed by Lachlan CMA free of charge. This includes Publications, Annual Reports, policy documents and the complete register of government contracts over $150,000.
2. Proactive release
Lachlan CMA will pro-actively release as much information as requested, but sometimes due to privacy issues this may not be possible, for instance, if it concerns another party's affairs. You may request details relating to further information that may be available, in addition to what is already publicly accessible. Contact the Lachlan CMA head office for further advice.
3. Informal release
You can ask for specific information on an informal basis. Contact the Lachlan CMA Head Office for further advice.
4. Formal release
This is a last resort. You should first see what information is publicly available or can be accessed upon request. However, there may be public interest reasons why the information can not be released informally, or a third party will need to be consulted in relation to the release of their business or personal details, in which case a formal application should be lodged.
How can I get more information?
Refer to the GIPA Act.
Refer to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) website or alternatively the OIC can be contacted via email at oicinfo@oic.nsw.gov.au or free call 1800 INFOCOM (1800 463 626) to register for future email alerts or to lodge a question, request or suggestion.
Refer to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal website.