This paper provides an overview of the Victorian Protective Data Security Framework and its role in protecting information held by Victorian government agencies, as well as a background of the global and domestic developments in this area.

Access to government information is a fundamental principle in a democratic society. Particularly in the digital environment, government information is a driver for economic and social progress, as well as a predicate for an informed citizenry.

This article argues that there needs to be more transparency, oversight and strong steps toward developing a robust framework of accountability for both the government and private spyware companies.

This is the first DA2I report, which sets the baseline to measure progress on a range of indicators of access to information and its relation to sustainable development.

This important report reveals the common information system weaknesses that can seriously affect the operations of government and potentially compromise sensitive information held by agencies.