Introduction to Right to Know

What is Right to Know for? #

To help you find out inside information about what Australian governments are doing.

How does the site work? #

You choose the public authority that you would like information from, then write a brief note describing what you want to know. We then send your request to the public authority. Any response is automatically published on the website for you and anyone else to find and read.

Why would I bother to do this? #

You pay taxes, and then government does things with the money. All sorts of things that affect your life, from healthcare through to national defence. Some it does badly, some it does well. The more we find out about how government works, the better able we are to make suggestions to improve the things that are done badly, and to celebrate the things that are done well.

Why would the public authority bother to reply? #

By law, almost all public authorities have to respond. The response will either contain the information you want, or give a valid legal reason why it must be kept confidential.

Who makes Right to Know? #

Right to Know is a project of the OpenAustralia Foundation, a charity, and was developed with software by the UK organisation mySociety. It was made possible by a donation from Guy King. If you like what we're doing, then you can make a donation.

How can I keep up with news about Right to Know? #

We have a blog and a twitter feed.

Next, read about making requests -->