Right to information
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) is committed to providing open access to information about our services, activities and business operations in accordance with the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009. Sensitive information may not be released where the Acts recognise it would be contrary to the broader public interest.
Right to Information aims to provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community and provide appropriate protection for individuals’ privacy. More information is available from the Queensland Government’s website.
International Access to Information Day - 28 September 2020
The ECQ will be marking International Access to Information Day (IAI Day) on 28 September, to recognise the unique value of your right to information.
This year’s theme is Building trust through transparency. Queenslanders, like the rest of Australia and the world, have faced significant challenges in recent times.
During these crises, we’ve seen the benefits of providing timely access to accurate and relevant information. It has also highlighted the key role of access to information in saving lives and mitigating the impact of crises, such as the current pandemic.
When government-held information is accessible, you feel more informed as a citizen to make health, safety and financial decisions. It also helps to build greater trust between government and the community.
We know that Queensland’s economic and social recovery will rely on access to information so individuals and governments can make informed decisions about matters affecting them.
IAI Day is a timely opportunity to raise awareness about information access rights and how greater openness builds trust between government and the community. It’s also a reminder of how far we have come in Queensland and the importance of the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009, which help protect the rights of Queenslanders.
Our agency is committed to improving access to information for the community and you can find out more about our publication scheme and how to access information from us below. More information about IAI Day is also available at the Office of the Information Commissioner’s website.
You might have noticed a name change this year from Right to Information Day to International Access to Information Day. While the intent is still the same, the name change brings greater consistency across Australia and with the United Nations.
How to access information
Information is available:
- on the ECQ website
- by browsing our publication scheme
Our publication scheme describes and categorises information routinely available from the ECQ. It has been developed to give the community greater access to information held by government.
All information and documents accessible via this scheme are provided free of charge.
Please contact us if you have difficulties accessing these documents, or wish to provide feedback on the information available.
About us: Who we are and what we do
Our services: Services we offer
Our finances: What we spend and how we spend it
Our priorities: What our priorities are and how we are doing it
- Strategic Plan 2020-24 PDF (0.35 MB)
- Strategic Plan 2019-23 PDF (0.22 MB)
- Annual Reports
- Service delivery statement PDF (0.2 MB)
Our decisions: How we make decisions
Our policies: Our policies and procedures
- Complaints journey information sheet PDF (1.08 MB)
- Complaints management process PDF (0.14 MB)
- Complaints management policy PDF (0.19 MB)
- Public Interest Disclosure policy PDF (3.28 MB)
- Progress report on the 2016-19 multicultural action plan PDF (0.11 MB)
- Audit waiver procedure PDF (2.32 MB)
- Audit waiver policy PDF (0.07 MB)
- Inquiry or a random audit of a preselection ballot conducted by a registered political party procedure PDF (0.26 MB)
- Inquiry or a random audit of a preselection ballot conducted by a registered political party policy PDF (0.24 MB)
- Election funding claims policy PDF (0.15 MB)
Our lists: Lists and registers
- through our disclosure log
ECQ's disclosure log shows documents that have been released following Right to Information requests and are suitable for publication:
| Date of decision | Information released | Method of accessing documents |
|---|---|---|
| 5 January 2019 | Documents relating to call centre services between February 2016 and May 2018. | Application Finalised – Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 26 September 2017 | Documents relating to compliance with electoral disclosure laws and obligations by the Liberal National Party of Queensland and the Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland) for the time period 2016 and 2017. | Application Finalised – Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 26 June 2017 | Documents relating to compliance with electoral disclosure laws and obligations by Pauline Hanson's One Nation Queensland Division and the Queensland Greens for the time period 2016 and 2017. | Application Finalised – Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 27 April 2016 | Documents relating to the process for assessing and deliberating the change of boundary at Jones Rd, Capalaba from Redland City Division 10 to Division 9. | Application Finalised - Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 15 December 2014 | Documents held by ECQ in relation to the Palmer United Party for the entire period from 1 August 2014 to 31 October 2014. | Application Finalised - Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 1 May 2014 | Correspondence between ECQ and Cook Shire Council regarding the possibility of holding a Referendum on Water Fluoridation. | Application Finalised - Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 23 August 2013 | Correspondence between ECQ and Sibelco North Stradbroke Island, a registered third party in the March 2012 State Election, in relation to compliance issues with its financial disclosure return, and records providing reasons for not publishing the return publicly. | Application Finalised - Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
| 9 August 2013 | Correspondence between Tony Abbott MP and ECQ dated around July/August 1998. | Application Finalised - Contact the RTI / Privacy Co-Ordinator on 1300 881 665 |
- through an administrative access process (please contact us).
If the information you are seeking is not available using the options listed above, please contact us to discuss your request or you may lodge a formal RTI application.
How to lodge an application
To lodge a formal application for information you must submit a Right to Information and Privacy Access form.
It helps if you provide as much detail as possible about the document/s you are seeking. If you know the title, subject matter, type of document or the date it was produced, please specify in your application.
To amend personal information you believe to be inaccurate or incomplete you may lodge a Personal Information Amendment form.
Completed application forms should be sent to:
Right to Information Officer
Electoral Commission of Queensland
GPO Box 1393
Brisbane QLD 4001
Fees and charges
It is free to access or amend your personal information, however a fee is charged for access to non-personal information. The ECQ can provide an estimate of the cost and give you an opportunity to amend your application. Information will not be supplied until payment is received.
More details on fees and charges are available on the Right to Information website.
Review process
Valid applications must be processed within 25 business days of receipt. A further 10 business days can be added should we need to consult with third parties. If the application is transferred to an alternate agency, additional time will be applied.
When your request is finalised, the ECQ will provide its decision in writing, including a schedule of documents relevant to your application. If you are dissatisfied with our decision, you may seek a secondary review by the ECQ, or you may contact the Office of the Information Commissioner. An application for review must be made no later than 20 business days after the date of the decision.