An experienced statutory officer and FOI specialist has been appointed Queensland’s information commissioner.
Joanne Kummrow, who was most recently Victorian public access deputy commissioner, begins her three-year term at the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) after Easter.
Kummrow has expertise in administrative law, decision-making and civil investigations, having also worked as special counsel, government and public law in the Victorian government Solicitor’s Office.
In this capacity, she led the Victorian government’s legal team that responded to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Queensland’s information commissioner has functions under the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009.
As head of the OIC, an independent statutory body, Kummrow is responsible for promoting access to government-held information, protecting citizens’ personal information held by the public sector and supporting public sector agencies comply with the law.
Her office also handles privacy complaints and decides if an agency’s privacy obligations can be waived or modified in the public interest.
Attorney-general Yvette D’Ath said access to government-held information and protection of personal information are essential to “transparent and accountable government”.
“Joanne Kummrow is ideally suited to this position, having previously served in similar roles in Victoria where she held statutory responsibilities for overseeing access to government-held information,” D’Ath said.
“She has extensive experience in government regulation and investigations, public sector integrity, freedom of information, privacy and data security and has demonstrated a strong commitment to working in the public interest throughout her career.”
Kummrow takes over from Stephanie Winson, who was Queensland’s acting information commissioner since last September.
