International Access to Information Day 2026 OAIC Event
About the event
Upholding information integrity: Combating mis- and dis-information in the Digital Age
Join the Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd, Freedom of Information Commissioner Alice Linacre and guests for a special event on Monday 21 September 2026 to mark International Access to Information Day (IAID) 2026.
IAID is observed globally each year on 28 September, recognising the importance of the community’s right to know and access information held by government.
This year's UNESCO theme is Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder, which highlights the importance of access to trustworthy information in combating mid-and disinformation. Complementing this theme, the OAIC’s campaign, Transparency + Access = Information Integrity, will showcase how transparency and access to information contribute to information integrity, strengthen good governance and build public trust.
To mark IAID, the OAIC is hosting a hybrid event bringing together Australian Government FOI practitioners and senior leaders to explore the role of information access, discuss contemporary challenges and share practical approaches to effective FOI administration.
The OAIC invites FOI practitioners, information management professionals and relevant professionals across the public sector to join the Commissioners and guest speakers.
The program will feature a fireside chat with Commissioner Tydd, a panel discussion chaired by Commissioner Linacre, and OAIC-led practical information sessions designed to share insights and practical approached attendees can apply in their work.
If you would like to attend, please register via the event registration page. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to provide personal information to Humanitix, including your name and email address, and to agree to the Humanitix terms and conditions.
Date: Monday, 21 September 2026
Time: 9:00am – 12:45pm (AEST)*
Location: Online and in-person at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra
If you would like to attend in-person, please express your interest via email to icon@oaic.gov.au (please do not register via this Humanitix link).
Speakers
Elizabeth Tydd, Australian Information Commissioner, OAIC
Elizabeth Tydd took up the position of Australian Information Commissioner in August 2024 for a 5-year term. Elizabeth is an experienced agency head and has occupied a number of statutory decision-making roles, including Information Commissioner and CEO of the NSW Information and Privacy Commission, Australian Freedom of Information Commissioner, Deputy President of the Workers Compensation Commission and Deputy Chairperson of the former Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal. Elizabeth has extensive regulatory and governance experience at an executive and board level in a range of jurisdictions and industries, including commercial, not-for-profit and public sector oversight. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney, as well as postgraduate certificates in executive management and governance together with post graduate qualifications in leadership and policy from Harvard University. Elizabeth possesses expertise in digital government and has written extensively on this subject.
Alice Linacre PSM, Freedom of Information Commissioner, OAIC
Alice Linacre PSM commenced as Australia’s FOI Commissioner on 29 September 2025 for a 5-year term. Alice is an experienced senior public servant and administrative lawyer. Alice previously held senior roles in a number of commonwealth government departments, including most recently the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Alice also has experience in private legal practice. In 2022, Alice was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the provision and management of legal services and resources to support the government’s response to critical events, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Alice holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University.
Dr Catherine Williams, Executive Director, Centre for Public Integrity
Dr Catherine Williams, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Integrity, is an expert in democratic accountability and public policy reform. Her research focuses on how to achieve transparency of and accountability in respect of the exercise of public power. Catherine co-authored Keeping Them Honest with the late Stephen Charles KC, and regularly contributes expert analysis to parliamentary inquiries and public debate on transparency and integrity reform.
Clancy Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Transparency International Australia
Nicholas Shizas PSM, Deputy Commissioner and Chief General Counsel, Australian Taxation Office
Nicholas Shizas is Deputy Commissioner and Chief General Counsel at the Australian Taxation Office based in Sydney. Nicholas has over 18 years of experience as a lawyer including as a leader in the ATO's taxation litigation practices and is currently responsible for the ATO’s general law risks and provides strategic legal advice on a wide range of significant issues. Nicholas is also accountable for the ATO’s Internal Audit and Integrity functions. As the ATO Integrity and Privacy Champion, Nicholas has driven initiatives that embed ethical leadership, enhance integrity frameworks, and support staff navigating complex issues. Nicholas is committed to strengthening capability, integrity, and collaboration within the Commonwealth legal profession.
Katy Lin, Assistant Secretary, Legal Policy Branch, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Katy Lin is the Assistant Secretary of the Legal Policy Branch in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In this role she oversees the department’s FOI and General Counsel functions, provides support to the Prime Minister’s Office and works in partnership with AGD to provide advice and shape outcomes across the AGD portfolio. Ms Lin has extensive experience in foreign policy, diplomacy, multilateral negotiations and national security. Prior to assuming her current role, Ms Lin was the Head of the Australian Sanctions Office in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and served overseas in postings in Bangkok and Australia’s Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Debbie Arnold, First Assistant Secretary, Ministerial Engagement and Communications, Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Debbie Arnold joined the Department of Veterans' Affairs in June 2024 and has played a key leadership role in driving the department's response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. She currently serves as First Assistant Secretary of the Ministerial, Engagement and Communications Division. Prior to joining DVA, Debbie spent more than a decade at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, where she held a number of senior leadership positions, including Chief of Staff to two Secretaries and Senate Parliamentary Liaison Officer. Debbie brings extensive experience across strategic policy, executive leadership, parliamentary engagement and organisational reform, underpinned by a strong track record of delivering complex outcomes across the Australian Public Service.
Agenda
- 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal Traditional Custodian, Tyronne Bell
- 9:10 am - 9:15 am
Introductory remarks from Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner
- 9:15 am - 9:30 am
Welcome video from the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP, Attorney-General
- 9:30 am - 10:20 am
Fireside chat with Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner
• Elizabeth Tydd, Information Commissioner, OAIC • Dr Catherine Williams, Executive Director, Centre for Public Integrity • Clancy Moore, CEO, Transparency International Australia
- 10:20 am - 10:50 am
Break
- 10:50 am - 11:50 am
OAIC-led practitioner practical sessions
- 11:50 am - 12:40 pm
Practitioner panel with Alice Linacre PSM, FOI Commissioner
• Alice Linacre PSM, Freedom of Information Commissioner, OAIC • Nicholas Shizas PSM, Deputy Commissioner and Chief General Counsel, Australian Taxation Office • Debbie Arnold, First Assistant Secretary, Ministerial Engagement and Communications, Department of Veterans’ Affairs • Katy Lin, Assistant Secretary, Legal Policy Branch, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- 12:40 pm - 12:45 pm
Closing remarks from Alice Linacre PSM, FOI Commissioner
Extra information
* Times in various time zones below:
Sydney, NSW at 9:00am (AEST)
Canberra, ACT at 9:00am (AEST)
Melbourne, VIC at 9:00am (AEST)
Brisbane, QLD at 9:00am (AEST)
Hobart, TAS at 9:00am (AEST)
Adelaide, SA at 8:30am (ACST)
Darwin, NT at 8:30am (ACST)
Perth, WA at 7:00am (AWST)
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