Freedom of Information

The Northern Territory Information Act (the Act) allows for access to government and personal information and the correction of personal information. DHLGRS has developed an Information Access Policy that sets out the way in which access to information held by the Department will be provided for.

Further information about your rights and entitlements can be gained by reading the information below and also by referring to the Information Act itself.

Privacy

DHLGRS undertakes to protect the personal information it holds by collecting only what information is necessary for the performance of its functions, to hold the information for only the period of time required by business, legislative or historical reasons, and to protect such information from unauthorised disclosure or access.

DHLGRS has developed a Privacy Policy that demonstrates the Department’s commitment to the protection of the privacy of individuals and to the management of personal information in compliance with the ten Privacy Principles as set out in the Schedule to the Act. These Privacy Principles govern how all Northern Territory Government agencies will collect, store, use and manage personal information. The Privacy Policy outlines the kinds of personal information collected, held and used by DHLGRS.

If you feel you have a complaint in relation to an interference with your privacy, you may direct the complaint to the Manager of the Information Unit in DHLGRS on 8999 8490 and ask to have the complaint resolved. If you are not satisfied with the response by this Department, you may lodge a complaint in writing to the Information Commissioner under Section 104 of the Act.

Right of Review

If you disagree with the decision made in relation to an application to access government information or to access/correct personal information you have the right to request that we review the decision.

You must lodge an application for review within 30 days of receiving the decision in relation to the original application. The review process will be conducted within the Department and will not involve the officer who made the original decision. The time frame for us to provide a decision in relation to a review is 30 days. The Act does not provide for the review process on any decision made in the first year of operation of the Act. If you do have an issue you would like to see dealt with please contact the Information Commissioner’s office on 8999 1436.

Right of Appeal

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of a review, you are able to make an appeal to the Information Commissioner. (You would need to do this within 90 days of receiving the decision in relation to the outcome of the review).