12Principles of transparency and accountability

12 Principles of transparency and accountability

(1) Subject to exceptions provided for by law—

(a) decision-making under this Act and the regulations must be transparent; and

(b) relevant information must be easily accessible and understandable and public education about its availability must be facilitated.

(2) Members of the public should—

(a) have access to reliable and relevant information in appropriate forms to facilitate a good understanding of issues and of how decisions are made under this Act; and

(b) be engaged and given opportunities to participate in decisions made under this Act, where appropriate to do so; and

(c) have their interests taken into account in decisions made under this Act.

(3) Community involvement in decisions, policies, programs and processes relating to the circular economy that may affect current or future generations of the community should be facilitated by—

(a) providing appropriate information to the community; and

(b) providing opportunities for involvement; and

(c) undertaking appropriate and adequate consultation.

(4) Decisions, policies, programs and processes relating to the circular economy should make a positive contribution to the aspirations and needs of the community to which they relate.

(5) The intrinsic connection of traditional owners to Country should be acknowledged through partnership and involvement in policy development, planning, and decision-making for the delivery of Victoria's circular economy.