{"id":"public-information-act-2010","name":"Public Information Act 2010","slug":"public-information-act-2010","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30531,"registerId":"nt-public-information-act-2010-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Public Information Act 2010","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nPUBLIC INFORMATION ACT 2010\nAs in force at 11 August 2025\nTable of provisions\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n4 Public information ............................................................................ 1\n5 Public authority ................................................................................ 2\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\n6 Review of public information ............................................................ 3\n7 Report of review .............................................................................. 6\n8 Ombudsman's preliminary decision ................................................. 6\nPart 3 Other matters\n10 Regulations...................................................................................... 7\nPart 4 Transitional matters for Public Information\nAct 2010\n11 Application ....................................................................................... 7\nPart 5 Transitional matters for Public Information\nAmendment Act 2025\n12 Definitions ........................................................................................ 7\n13 Reviews not completed or reports not finalised before\ncommencement to be transferred to Ombudsman .......................... 8\n14 Application of amendments to section 7(3) and (5) ......................... 8\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 11 August 2025\n____________________\nPUBLIC INFORMATION ACT 2010\nAn Act to provide for the review of public information\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\n1 Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Public Information Act 2010.\n2 Commencement\nThis Act commences on the date fixed by the Administrator by\nGazette notice.\n3 Definitions\nIn this Act:\nAssembly member means a member of the Legislative Assembly.\npublic authority, see section 5.\npublic information, see section 4.\n4 Public information\n(1) Public information is information given by a public authority to the\npublic by using money or other property of the Territory, other than:\n(a) information given to members of the electorate of an\nAssembly member if the preparation and giving of the\ninformation is funded by an allowance payable to the member\nfor the electorate under a law of the Territory; and\n(b) a media release of an Assembly member (whether or not in\nhis or her capacity as an Assembly member); and\n(c) information prescribed by regulation.\n\nPart 1 Preliminary matters\nPublic Information Act 2010 2\n(2) For subsection (1), a public authority gives information to the public\nwhen it makes the information available to the public generally\n(rather than any particular members of the public) through any\nmedium.\nExamples for subsection (2)\n1 Advertisements in newspapers, on the radio or billboards or in cinemas.\n2 Group emails, recorded telephone messages and text messages.\n5 Public authority\n(1) An Assembly member in his or her capacity as any of the following\nis a public authority:\n(a) an Assembly member;\n(b) the holder or occupier of any of the following offices:\n(i) a Minister;\n(ii) the Speaker;\n(iii) the Leader of the Opposition;\n(iv) any other office of the Legislative Assembly.\n(2) Each of the following is a public authority:\n(a) the holder or occupier of an office established by or under a\nlaw of the Territory;\n(b) a person appointed or engaged to perform work for a public\nauthority;\n(c) an Agency;\n(d) a body (whether incorporated or not) established by or under a\nlaw of the Territory;\n(e) a body corporate to which one or both of the following apply:\n(i) the capital of the body corporate is owned by one or\nmore public authorities;\n(ii) one or more public authorities have a total of more than\none-half of the voting power in the management of the\nbody corporate;\n(f) a body corporate that is a subsidiary of a public authority\n(whether or not through any interposed entity).\n\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\nPublic Information Act 2010 3\n(3) Despite subsections (1) and (2), each of the following is not a public\nauthority:\n(a) the holder or occupier of:\n(i) a judicial office; or\n(ii) an office as a member of a tribunal under a law of the\nTerritory;\n(b) a local government council;\n(c) Jacana Energy;\n(d) the Power and Water Corporation;\n(da) Territory Generation;\n(e) a person or body prescribed by regulation.\n(4) In this section:\nJacana Energy means the Power Retail Corporation established\nby section 5 of the Power Retail Corporation Act 2014.\njudicial office means:\n(a) the office of Supreme Court Judge or Local Court Judge; or\n(b) another office or position under a law of the Territory that\ncarries with it the power to act judicially.\nExample for definition judicial office, paragraph (b)\nOffice of coroner under the Coroners Act 1993.\nTerritory Generation means the Power Generation Corporation\nestablished by section 5 of the Power Generation Corporation\nAct 2014.\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\n6 Review of public information\n(1) The Ombudsman may, at any time on the Ombudsman's own\ninitiative or on the written request of an Assembly member, conduct\na review of particular public information to determine whether this\nAct is contravened in relation to the information.\nNote for subsection (1)\nSee section 12 of the Ombudsman Act 2009.\n\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\nPublic Information Act 2010 4\n(1A) If the Ombudsman decides not to review particular public\ninformation as requested by an Assembly member, the\nOmbudsman must notify the member of the decision.\n(2) The Ombudsman may determine this Act is contravened in relation\nto particular public information if the Ombudsman is satisfied one or\nmore of the following applies to the information:\n(a) the information promotes particular party political interests;\n(b) the information includes statements that are misleading;\n(c) the information is an advertisement that includes an image of\na minister or a minister's message;\n(d) for public information that is not an advertisement – the\ninformation includes an image of a minister or a minister's\nmessage other than:\n(i) the Chief Minister; or\n(ii) the relevant minister;\n(e) the information includes facts (including comparisons),\nstatistics or data that are not presented accurately;\n(f) the information fails to specify the source, or a means for\nidentifying a source, of any facts (including comparisons),\nstatistics or data.\nNote for subsection (2)(f)\nMeans for identifying the source may include providing a contact person or a\nwebsite that can provide references for the source of any fact, statistic or data\nincluded in the public information.\n(2A) The Ombudsman may also determine this Act is contravened in\nrelation to particular public information if the Ombudsman is\nsatisfied the content of the information is not for the purpose of the\npublic interest.\n(3) The Ombudsman\n(a) may conduct the review in any way the Ombudsman\nconsiders appropriate; but\n(b) must have regard to any requirements or prohibitions\nprescribed by regulation for the giving of public information.\n(4) Without limiting subsection (2)(a), the content of the public\ninformation promotes particular party political interests if the\ninformation includes an image or message that may reasonably be\n\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\nPublic Information Act 2010 5\nregarded as promoting (whether expressly or implicitly) a particular\npolitical party or any of its members.\nExample for subsection (4)\nThe information includes the logo or slogans of a particular political party.\n(5) Despite subsection (2)(c) and (d), the Ombudsman may determine\nthis Act is not contravened by the use of an image of a minister, or\na minister's message, in the giving of public information if:\n(a) the primary audience for the giving of public information\nresides outside of the Territory; and\n(b) the Ombudsman is satisfied that the use was intended to\nincrease the effectiveness of the communication.\n(6) Despite subsection (2)(c) and (d), the Ombudsman may also\ndetermine this Act is not contravened by the use of an image of a\nminister, or a minister's message, in the giving of public information\nif:\n(a) the information is given to the public in a time of emergency;\nand\n(b) the Ombudsman is satisfied that members of the public would\nbe likely to expect demonstrated leadership from government\nministers at such a time.\n(7) In this section:\nadvertisement means an advertisement published by the purchase\nof media placement under a commercial arrangement, including the\npurchase of media placement:\n(a) in traditional forms of paid advertising; or\n(b) on social media platforms; or\n(c) in other digital communication channels; or\n(d) on signage associated with Government funded construction\nprojects.\nExample for definition advertisement, paragraph (a)\nAdvertising through television, cinema, radio, newspaper, journal or other\npublications.\nrelevant minister means the minister to whom responsibility for the\narea of government related to the public information is allotted\nunder the Administrative Arrangement Order.\n\nPart 2 Ombudsman's functions\nPublic Information Act 2010 6\n7 Report of review\n(1) Subject to section 8(2) and (3), the Ombudsman must prepare a\nreport about a review of particular public information as soon as\npracticable after completing the review.\n(2) The report:\n(a) must specify:\n(i) whether the Ombudsman determines this Act is\ncontravened in relation to the public information; and\n(ii) if the Ombudsman makes the determination – the\nOmbudsman's reasons for the determination; and\n(b) may specify any recommendations as the Ombudsman\nconsiders appropriate.\n(3) The Ombudsman must:\n(a) give the report to the Speaker; and\n(aa) if the review was conducted on the request of an Assembly\nmember – give a copy of the report to the member; and\n(b) include a copy of the report in a report prepared under\nsection 152 of the Ombudsman Act 2009 for the year in which\nthe review is conducted.\n(5) The Speaker must table a copy of the report mentioned in\nsubsection (3)(a) in the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days\nafter receiving it.\n8 Ombudsman's preliminary decision\n(1) This section applies if, in conducting a review of particular public\ninformation, the Ombudsman believes this Act is contravened in\nrelation to the information.\n(2) The Ombudsman must, before finalising the report about the\nreview, give written notice to the public authority that gave the\npublic information to the public:\n(a) specifying the Ombudsman's reasons for the belief; and\n(b) specifying the public authority may give comments to the\nOmbudsman in relation to those reasons within 10 business\ndays after receiving the notice.\n\nPart 5 Transitional matters for Public Information Amendment Act 2025\nPublic Information Act 2010 7\n(3) The Ombudsman may, in the notice, recommend the public\nauthority to do any of the following before the review is completed:\n(a) to withdraw the public information;\n(b) to make specified changes to the content of the public\ninformation.\n(4) The public authority:\n(a) must consider the recommendation; and\n(b) may implement the recommendation if the public authority\nconsiders it appropriate to do so.\n(5) The Ombudsman must consider any comments given to the\nOmbudsman under subsection (2)(b) when preparing the report\nabout the review.\nPart 3 Other matters\n10 Regulations\nThe Administrator may make regulations under this Act.\nPart 4 Transitional matters for Public Information\nAct 2010\n11 Application\nThis Act applies to public information given to the public on or after\nthe commencement of the Public Information Act 2010.\nPart 5 Transitional matters for Public Information\nAmendment Act 2025\n12 Definitions\nIn this Part:\namending Act means the Public Information Amendment Act 2025.\ncommencement means the commencement of the amending Act.\n\nPart 5 Transitional matters for Public Information Amendment Act 2025\nPublic Information Act 2010 8\n13 Reviews not completed or reports not finalised before\ncommencement to be transferred to Ombudsman\n(1) The following must be dealt with by the Ombudsman in accordance\nwith this Act as in force after the commencement:\n(a) a review under section 6, as in force immediately before the\ncommencement, that is not completed by the Auditor-General\nbefore the commencement;\n(b) a report under section 7, as in force immediately before the\ncommencement, that is not finalised by the Auditor-General\nbefore the commencement.\n(2) To avoid doubt, the discretion of the Ombudsman under section 6,\nas in force after the commencement, to conduct or not to conduct a\nreview, applies to a matter that is to be dealt with by the\nOmbudsman in accordance with subsection (1)(a).\n(3) As soon as practicable after the commencement, the\nAuditor-General must transfer to the Ombudsman all documents,\nmaterials and evidence in the Auditor-General's possession in\nrelation to the matters to be dealt with by the Ombudsman in\naccordance with subsection (1).\n14 Application of amendments to section 7(3) and (5)\nSection 7(3) and (5), as in force immediately before the\ncommencement, continue to apply after the commencement in\nrelation to a report the Auditor-General prepared under section 7\nbut had not given to the Speaker or Assembly member (as the case\nrequires) before the commencement.\n\nENDNOTES\nPublic Information Act 2010 9\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY Key to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nPublic Information Act 2010 (Act No. 11, 2010)\nAssent date 20 May 2010\nCommenced 1 August 2010 (Gaz G29, 21 July 2010, p 8)\nLocal Government Amendment Act 2014 (Act No. 19, 2014)\nAssent date 2 June 2014\nCommenced s 16: 1 July 2014; s 18: 1 December 2014; rem: 2 June 2014\n(s 2)\nTerritory Insurance Office (Sale) Act 2014 (Act No. 41, 2014)\nAssent date 28 November 2014\nCommenced pt 6, divs 1 and 2: nc (exp without commencing);\npt 6, div 3: 00:01hrs 1 January 2015 (Gaz S131,\n19 December 2014, p 8); rem: 28 November 2014 (s 2)\nLocal Court (Related Amendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 8, 2016)\nAssent date 6 April 2016\nCommenced 1 May 2016 (s 2, s 2 Local Court (Repeals and Related\nAmendments) Act 2016 (Act No. 9, 2016) and Gaz S34,\n29 April 2016)\nPublic Information Act 2016 (Act No. 34, 2016)\nAssent date 20 December 2016\nCommenced 14 February 2017 (Gaz S2, 14 February 2017, p 2)\nPublic Information Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (Act No.14, 2019)\nAssent date 9 April 2019\nCommenced 10 April 2019\nPublic Information Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 18, 2025)\nAssent date 10 August 2025\nCommenced 11 August 2025 (s 2)\n\nENDNOTES\nPublic Information Act 2010 10\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: ss 1, 3, 5 and 7.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\ns 3 amd No. 18, 2025, s 6\ns 5 amd No. 19, 2014, s 26; No. 41, 2014, s 53; No. 8, 2016, s 45; No. 34, 2016,\ns 5; No. 18, 2025, s 6\npt 2 hdg amd No. 18, 2025, s 6\ns 6 amd No. 34, 2016, s 6; No. 14, 2019, s 4; No. 18, 2025, s 4\ns 7 amd No. 34, 2016, s 7; No. 18, 2025, s 6\ns 8 amd No. 18, 2025, s 6\ns 9 rep No. 34, 2016, s 8\npt 5 hdg exp No. 11, 2010, s 14\nins No. 18, 2025, s 5\nss 12 – 14 exp No. 11, 2010, s 14\nins No. 18, 2025, s 5","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This version shifts the operational scope of the Act by transferring the review function from the Auditor‑General to the Ombudsman (see Part 5, ss 12–14). That is an institutional change in who decides and reports on contraventions. Other amendments across the life of the Act (noted in the endnotes) have broadened or clarified definitions and coverage — for example, the updated definition of \"advertisement\" to expressly include social media and signage (s 6(7) as reprinted) and the insertion/removal of particular entities in the list of public authorities or exclusions (s 5 and s 5(3)).\n\nTaken together the changes do not alter the Act’s core purpose (reviewing Territory‑funded public information for partisan or misleading content) but they do: (a) reassign enforcement and reporting responsibilities to a different independent office (changing who decides and how reports are presented to the Assembly), and (b) refine the types of communication and entities captured by the regime, producing a moderate expansion and institutional refocus of scope rather than a wholly new policy purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms in s 3–5 (assembly member, public information, public authority, advertisement, relevant minister, judicial office, Jacana Energy, Territory Generation)","Cross-references to other instruments: Ombudsman Act 2009 (s 12 and s 152 referenced in notes), Administrative Arrangement Order (relevant minister)","Several conditional rules and exceptions in s 6 (multiple independent grounds in s 6(2), separate exception tests in s 6(5) and (6), and a public-interest override in s 6(2A))","Procedural layers: preliminary notice with 10-business‑day comment period (s 8); reporting requirements and tabling deadlines (s 7)","Transitional and amendment provisions (Part 5, ss 12–14) transferring functions from Auditor‑General to Ombudsman and preserving some prior application of older subsections (adds complexity to who handled what and when)","Regulatory delegation: several duties are qualified by regulations (s 6(3), s 10), increasing external dependence and conditionality","Amendment history and repeals noted in endnotes — multiple amending Acts (2014, 2016, 2019, 2025) that alter definitions and coverage (increases interpretive burden)","Nested exclusions in s 4 and s 5 (items excluded from \"public information\" and from \"public authority\")","Procedural discretion for the Ombudsman in how reviews are conducted (s 6(3)) leading to variable application across cases"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanically)**\n\n- Defines “public information” as information a public authority gives to the general public using Territory money or property (s 4). It excludes some items: material paid for from an Assembly member’s electorate allowance, individual media releases by Assembly members, and anything the regulations exempt (s 4(1)).\n- Defines who counts as a “public authority” (s 5). That list includes Ministers and other office-holders, agencies, bodies created by Territory law, and bodies majority‑controlled or owned by public authorities. The section also lists categories that are expressly not public authorities (for example, judicial officers and local councils) and names particular corporations (s 5(3)–(4)).\n- Gives the Ombudsman power to review particular public information on the Ombudsman’s own initiative or at the written request of an Assembly member (s 6(1)–(1A)). The Ombudsman now performs that review function (see transitional clauses below).\n- Sets out the grounds on which the Ombudsman may determine the Act has been contravened (s 6(2)–(2A)). Key grounds include that the information:\n  - promotes particular party political interests (s 6(2)(a) and (4));\n  - contains misleading statements (s 6(2)(b));\n  - is an advertisement that includes an image or message of a minister (s 6(2)(c));\n  - for non-advertisements, includes an image or message of a minister other than the Chief Minister or the relevant minister (s 6(2)(d));\n  - presents facts, comparisons, statistics or data inaccurately or without identifying a source (s 6(2)(e)–(f)).\n  Subsection 6(2A) also permits a finding if the content is not for the public interest.\n- Allows the Ombudsman broad procedural discretion in how to conduct a review, subject to any requirements or prohibitions in regulations (s 6(3)).\n- Permits limited exceptions for use of ministerial images/messages—for example where the primary audience is outside the Territory or during a declared emergency when visible ministerial leadership is appropriate (s 6(5)–(6)).\n- Requires the Ombudsman to prepare a report after a review stating whether the Act was contravened and the reasons for that finding; the report may include recommendations (s 7(1)–(2)). The Ombudsman must give the report to the Speaker and, if the review was requested by a Member, to that Member; the report must be tabled in the Legislative Assembly within 6 sitting days (s 7(3), (5)).\n- Before finalising a report the Ombudsman must give written notice to the public authority if the Ombudsman believes the Act has been contravened, set out reasons and allow the authority 10 business days to comment (s 8(1)–(2)). The Ombudsman may recommend withdrawal or changes to the material; the public authority must consider but is not required to adopt the recommendation (s 8(3)–(4)).\n- Authorises the Administrator to make regulations (s 10).\n- Includes transitional provisions that transfer unfinished reviews and unfinalised reports that had been handled by the Auditor‑General to the Ombudsman following the 2025 amendment (ss 12–14).\n\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Public authorities (as defined in s 5) that use Territory money or property to distribute information to the public. They must design and approve public communications with the Act’s limits in mind and be ready to respond to Ombudsman reviews and recommendations (s 6, s 8).\n- Ministers and offices whose images or messages are used in government communications: certain uses may trigger review and possible findings (s 6(2)(c)–(d), (5)–(6)).\n- Assembly members: they can request reviews and will receive copies of reports when they request a review (s 6(1), s 7(3)(aa)).\n- Contractors and media suppliers who produce government advertising may face reduced or changed work if government communications are withdrawn or altered following a review.\n- The Ombudsman (the deciding official) — the Act gives that office discretion to review and determine contraventions and to report to the Assembly (s 6–8, ss 13–14).\n\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effects)**\n\n- The stated aim (implicit in the Act) is to prevent Territory-funded public communications from serving party-political ends or being misleading, and to require accountability for the content of such communications (s 6(2)–(2A), s 7). That purpose is implemented by giving the Ombudsman review and reporting powers and by requiring public authorities to consider the Ombudsman’s recommendations (s 6–8).\n\nPractical trade-offs, incentives and costs to note (linked to the text):\n- Who pays: the immediate budgetary cost of public communications is borne by public authorities (s 4). If the Ombudsman recommends changes or withdrawal, the Authority bears any reprinting, replacement or legal/comms advisory costs (s 8(3)–(4)).\n- Who decides: the Ombudsman decides whether the Act is contravened and what to recommend; regulations can add further rules that the Ombudsman must take into account (s 6(3), s 10).\n- Behavioural incentives for public authorities: to avoid adverse findings they will likely (a) avoid content that could be seen as promoting a political party or including certain ministerial imagery (s 6(2)(a),(c),(d)), (b) document sources for factual claims (s 6(2)(e)–(f)), and (c) ensure communications comply with any regulations. These steps increase compliance burden (preparation time, legal or communications advice) and recordkeeping.\n- Substitution effects: authorities may shift the form, timing or financing of communications — e.g. produce more informational (less political) content, direct messaging at audiences outside the Territory where permitted (s 6(5)), or reduce paid advertising that could be characterised as an “advertisement” under the Act (s 6(7)).\n- Effects on private enterprise: the rule primarily affects businesses that contract to produce government-funded communications. It does not directly regulate private advertising, but changes in government demand for advertising could affect those suppliers’ revenue.\n- Bureaucratic discretion and uncertainty: the Ombudsman has wide discretion on how to conduct reviews and on what satisfies the statutory grounds (s 6(3), (2A)). That discretion can create compliance uncertainty for public authorities unless regulations set out clearer rules (s 6(3), s 10).\n- Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs: the right to request reviews is vested in Assembly members (s 6(1)), which concentrates procedural power in elected representatives; the compliance costs are spread across public authorities and suppliers.\n\n\n**Operational takeaways**\n\n- If you are a public authority: plan for review risk when commissioning or approving Territory‑funded public communications. Keep source references for factual claims, limit or justify partisan content or ministerial imagery, and be prepared to respond within 10 business days to an Ombudsman notice (s 6(2)(e)–(f), s 8(2)).\n- If you are an Assembly member: you can ask the Ombudsman in writing to review particular public information and will receive the Ombudsman’s report if you do so (s 6(1), s 7(3)(aa)).\n- If you are a contractor producing government ads: expect possible withdrawal or change requests and factor compliance and revision costs into bids.\n\n\n**Key sections to read**: definitions and exclusions (s 4–5); Ombudsman review powers and grounds (s 6); reporting and procedural steps (s 7–8); transitional transfer of review duties from the Auditor‑General to the Ombudsman (ss 12–14)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has grown beyond its original 2010 scope through multiple amendments. Originally focused on basic review of public information for party political content and accuracy, it has expanded to include: (1) specific restrictions on ministerial images in both advertisements and non-advertisements (2016/2019 amendments); (2) a broad 'public interest' test added in 2025 (section 6(2A)); (3) detailed exceptions for emergencies and external audiences (sections 6(5)-(6)); and (4) a complete institutional shift from Auditor-General to Ombudsman as the reviewing body (2025). The 2025 amendments also added specific definitions of 'advertisement' covering digital and social media, reflecting evolution in government communication methods."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing with the Ombudsman Act 2009 (section 6(1) note, section 7(3)(b))","Multiple nested exceptions and qualifications in section 6(2)-(6), including 'despite' clauses creating carve-outs for emergencies and external audiences","Defined terms scattered across sections (section 3, section 4, section 5(4), section 6(7)) rather than consolidated in one interpretation section","Complex entity classification in section 5 with multiple inclusion criteria (subsections 1-2) followed by specific exclusions (subsection 3) and then definitions of excluded terms (subsection 4)","Transitional provisions in Part 5 dealing with transfer of functions from Auditor-General to Ombudsman, creating temporal complexity about which version of the Act applies to pending matters","Conditional logic in section 6(2)(d) distinguishing between advertisements and non-advertisements with different rules for ministerial images"],"plain_english_summary":"This law is the **Public Information Act 2010** (Northern Territory). It sets rules about how government bodies can communicate with the public to stop taxpayer money being used for political advertising or misleading information.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Defines \"public information\"** as any information government bodies give to the public using Territory money or resources. This includes ads, social media posts, emails, billboards, and media releases.\n- **Sets up the Ombudsman as a watchdog** to review government communications and check if they break the rules.\n- **Bans specific types of content:**\n  - Information that promotes a particular political party\n  - Misleading statements\n  - Ads featuring images of ministers or their messages (with limited exceptions)\n  - Non-advertisement information featuring ministers other than the Chief Minister or the relevant minister for that topic\n  - Facts, statistics or data presented inaccurately\n  - Facts without proper sources\n  - Information that isn't actually in the public interest\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Public authorities** including government agencies, ministers, the Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, government-owned corporations (with specific exclusions for utilities like Jacana Energy and Power and Water Corporation), and bodies established by Territory law.\n- **Notably excludes:** judges, local councils, certain energy corporations, and anyone prescribed by regulation.\n\n**How it works:**\n- The Ombudsman can start a review on their own initiative or when requested by a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).\n- Before finalising a report, the Ombudsman must give the government body a chance to respond (natural justice).\n- The Ombudsman can recommend the information be withdrawn or changed.\n- Reports go to the Speaker and must be tabled in Parliament within 6 sitting days.\n\n**Recent changes (2025):**\n- The job of reviewing public information was transferred from the **Auditor-General to the Ombudsman** (Part 5 deals with this handover).\n- New rules were added about the \"public interest\" and ministerial images in communications.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law tries to keep a clear line between government information (facts, public services, emergencies) and political campaigning. It stops public money being used to promote political parties or individual politicians, while allowing legitimate government communication."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010","history":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010/history","analysis":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/public-information-act-2010/documents"}}