Drafting of the Right to Information (PNG0024)

Commitment 8.1.1: Drafting of the Right to Information

Section 51(1) warrants every citizen the legal right to access reasonable information, including documents, subject only to the need for such secrecy as is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. Subsection (3) states that provision shall be made by law to establish procedures by which citizens may obtain ready access to official information. Thus, it enables the DICT to draft the Right to Information Legislation. The enactment of this legislation will free up the flow of information between the government and citizens.

Objective
To legalize the flow of key public information to citizens.

OGP Global Commitment
DIP 2.4 – Enactment of the Right to Information Legislation

OGP Commitment No.
1.1

Summary Activity
Drafting of the Right to Information as directed by Section 51(3) of the National Constitution

Table 2: Milestones and Activities

1. RTI Drafting Committee established and stakeholders consulted

Development of terms of reference for the drafting committee and the consultant

Engagement of an expert technical assistant

Conduct regular drafting committee meetings

Development of drafting instruction

Development of explanatory note

Conduct of stakeholder consultation meetings and workshops

Regional and national stakeholder workshops

2. Right to Information Bill drafted

Drafting validation workshops

Editing and vetting

Finalisation of the draft

3. Issuance of Certificate of Necessity

Consultations and meetings with the State Solicitor General

Submission of bill, drafting instruction, explanatory note, and letter for Certificate of Necessity

4. NEC submission endorsed

First NEC submission

5. Certificate of Compliance

NEC endorsement and direction

Submission to First Legislative Counsel (FLC)

6. Bill passed by the National Parliament

First reading

Second reading

Final reading

7. Gazettal Notice and Commencement Date released

Ministerial advisory note to the Governor General

Issuance of Gazettal Notice

Issuance of commencement date

8. Implementation Awareness conducted

Implementation workshops

Media publications

Website publications

Supporting Agencies

Government: DNPM, State Solicitor, PM&NEC, DJAG, NICTA, DoT

CSOs: CLRC, FLC, National Archives, PNG CIR, CIMC, INA, TVI, CELOR, BCFW

Others: UPNG, UNDP, EU

Table 3: Strategies

Effective coordination of the drafting team
Policy Reference: Administrative Duties of DICT

Regular involvement of relevant state agencies and CSOs in the drafting process
Policy Reference: Constitutional Laws

Effective awareness through various communication and engagement activities
Policy Reference: OGP Communication Strategy 2025

Table 4: Indicators

Enactment and enforcement of the Right to Information Act (2027)

Source: DICT

Baseline (2024): Nil

Percentage of publication of key government information for citizen accessibility (%)

Source: DICT

Baseline (2024): 30

Targets:

2025: 30

2026: 35

2027: 50

2028: 80

2029: 100