Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai says the development and implementation of the Right To Information Bill clearly demonstrates the Vanuatu Government’s commitment over the years both nationally and internationally to improve transparency and accountability
The bill this morning was welcomed by most Members of Parliament including those in the Opposition.
Prime Minister Salwai says the introduction of the RTI Bill reflected the Government’s continuing commitment to recognise access to information as a human right and as a cornerstone of fundamental democratic principles of good governance. As such the five (5) main indicators for an effective information disclosure addressed in the policy are: Maximum Disclosure, Maximum Accessibility, Affordability, Effective Implementation and Media & Governance Relations”.
While introducing the Right To Information Bill in the Parliament Chamber this morning, Prime Minister Salwai said some of the commitments are:
Priorities and Action Agenda (PAA) 2006-2015, which recognises the importance of providing for a free flow of information on government programs and services to Members of Parliament, citizens, civil society and development partners’;
The Pacific Plan for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Integration, which includes in its Good Governance objective improved transparency, accountability, equity and efficiency in the management and use of resources in the Pacific, including work on RTI or ‘freedom of information’;
Vanuatu’s accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2008, which means Vanuatu has a legal obligation in accordance with Article 19 to respect the right of people to “seek, receive and impart information”;
Vanuatu’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The UNCAC recognises the central role that transparency and the right to information can take in ensuring government accountability. Article 13 requires states to ensure that: “the public has effective access to information” and to undertake: “public information activities that contribute to non-tolerance of corruption, as well as public education programs.”
The Universal Periodic Review Recommendation Vanuatu (a National Implementation Action Plan) 2014 – 2018 also provides for a budget for the enforcement of the RTI Act and the enactment of the RTI Bill by parliament.
Both the Leader of Opposition, Ismael Kalsakau and his deputy, Sato Kilman have welcomed the bill with some reservations.
Mr Kalsakau says while the bill guarantees free access to information in public offices it must not be abused and proper control must be exercised to ensure we safeguard the integrity of Vanuatu.
Mr Kilman on his part questioned the effectiveness of the implementation process amidst reports that the government is intending to remove the DG positions. “These DG’s should be the ones to implement the RTI legislation”.
Minister of Land, Ralph Regenvanu says the RTI Bill is the people’s bill because it provides access to the people to get information from the government to help them make decisions.
Other opposition members also spoke in support of the bill which will be put to vote this afternoon.