QUEENSLAND TREASURY
OPEN DATA STRATEGY 2015–2019
Purpose
Queensland Treasury (QT) is committed to fulfilling its obligations towards the Government’s plan
for Open Data. This Open Data Strategy (the strategy) sets out how QT will achieve those objectives
between the years 2015 and 2019. It also explains how QT will embed a culture of ‘share first’ and
‘needing to share’ its data through the whole-of-Government open data portal for the benefit of the
Queensland community and private enterprise. This strategy will be reviewed annually to ensure it
is meeting this purpose.
The current release schedule is available at data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qt-list-of-datasets.
Guiding principles
QT’s strategy is guided by the Government’s overarching principles for open data:
1. Government data will be available for open use
Data will be openly available under flexible licences, allowing for reuse by the public,
including by businesses, researchers and individuals.
2. Government data will be available free
Data will be available free in future, unless the cost is set by law, or benefits the
Queensland community and has been approved by Cabinet.
3. Government data will be in accessible formats and easy to find
Data will be easily discoverable through www.qld.gov.au/data in accessible formats that
promote its reuse.
4. Government data will be released within set standards and accountabilities
We will make our data available in a timely and relevant manner, unless it is restricted for
reasons of privacy, public safety, security, commercial confidentiality or compliance with
the law. We are accountable for the release of good-quality data in accordance with set
standards.
Strategic overview
Short and long-term objectives
In the short term QT will identify data which is in scope for this initiative and release it through
www.qld.gov.au/data. In the longer term QT will embed a ‘share first’ culture and establish roles,
responsibilities and processes to capture the details of new datasets as they are created and
incorporate them into ‘business as usual’ processes to enable their timely and efficient release.
To help inform its strategic vision, QT will participate in open data events and activities and attend
the Open Data Senior Officers Working Group established by the Department of the Premier and
Cabinet to promote open data across the Queensland Government.
Scope
The strategy defines in scope data as:
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current or historic raw, unprocessed, unformatted and machine-readable data collected,
created, extracted and stored by QT
security classified as Public (before or after modification, aggregation or de-identification)
through the Queensland Government Information Security Classification Framework1
able to be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC by)–or similar–licence2.
Out of scope for this strategy:
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Data more properly defined as information (i.e. collections of data that have been
processed, analysed, interpreted, organised, or otherwise had value and context added).
Information is managed through existing Right to Information pro-active release processes.
Data classified higher than Public (e.g. Unclassified, In-Confidence, Protected or Highly
Protected) and which cannot be re-classified as Public even after a reasonable attempt at
aggregation or de-identification.
Types of data
QT creates and uses a range of data that broadly fit into the following categories:
Division
Key responsibilities and types of data
Corporate Group
Corporate datasets (finance, HR, ICT, annual reports, overseas
travel), Motor Accident Insurance Scheme, Nominal Defendant
Economics Group
Economic, demographic and social research, inter-governmental
relations, regulation reform
Fiscal Group
State Budget, fiscal strategy, financial and commercial advice
Office of State Revenue
Revenue (stamp duty, payroll tax, land tax), debt recovery, grants
(Great Start Grant), State Penalties Enforcement Registry
Commercial Group
Major projects, infrastructure
Office of Industrial Relations
Safe working initiatives, licensing and accreditation. Legislative,
compliance and enforcement frameworks for fair and safe work
QT also holds data created or owned by other custodian agencies, or created by QT on behalf of
other custodian agencies. Decisions about releasing this data will be referred to the original data
custodians and managed in line with legislative requirements.
QT has not identified any datasets within scope that generate revenue or cost recovery measures.
1
2
Available at http://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/products/information-security
Specific license information available at creativecommons.org.au
Governance and compliance
Strategic governance
The QT Information Steering Committee provides departmental leadership and direction for
information management and information technology investments and activities. The Information
Steering Committee–chaired by the Assistant Under Treasurer, Corporate Group and comprised of
senior executives representing each part of QT–will:
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communicate the open data program to senior and executive management groups
incorporate open data into QT’s information planning activities
review the progress and effectiveness of QT’s open data strategy and implementation
discuss feedback received from external and internal stakeholders and clients of QT’s data.
Operational governance
A QT Open Data Working Group–chaired by an Open Data Coordinator and comprised of key
stakeholders, local dataset custodians, web managers and the Privacy Contact Officer–will:
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meet periodically to discuss issues, opportunities and progress against the strategy
provide advice, support and updates to the Information Steering Committee
consider and respond to enquiries, requests for data and feedback
provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to the Information Steering Committee.
Compliance
The QT open data release process will comply with the:
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Queensland Public Sector Intellectual Property Principles
Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework (AusGOAL framework)
Queensland Government Information Security Classification Framework
Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) privacy guidelines for open data3
Information Privacy Principles in the Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act)
Public interest test in the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act), and any other relevant
acts and regulations.
QT will ensure security classified information, personal data, and data owned by other entities is
protected from unlawful or unauthorised release. Data will only be released where the release is
not contrary to the public interest.
Overarching data identification and release process
Local dataset custodians with specific knowledge about the data collected, created and used in their
work areas will identify existing and new datasets in a centrally managed QT dataset register.
Initial assessment
Data custodians and the Open Data Coordinator will make an initial assessment on the suitability of
a dataset for public release based on its security classification, the four open data policy principles,
legislative requirements and the OIC privacy guidelines for open data.
3
OIC Guidelines at www.oic.qld.gov.au/about-us/consultation/whats-new/2013-02-21-new-guidelines%E2%80%93-publishing-datasets
Confidentiality and privacy
Where a dataset contains confidential, personal or other classified data that prevents its
classification as Public for release, reasonable attempts to make the data suitable for public release
through aggregation or de-identification techniques will be made. Where confidentiality or privacy
concerns have been identified the final approval for release will be provided by QT’s Privacy Contact
Officer.
Publication
If a release is approved the dataset will be published to a permanent uniform resource locator (URL)
on one of QT’s websites in an open and machine-readable file format such as CSV or XML.
The default release licence will be a Creative Commons Attribution (CC by) unless otherwise
determined by the dataset custodian. The Open Data Coordinator or dataset custodian will update
the open data portal with the relevant metadata details at www.qld.gov.au/data.
A process map is provided Appendix 1.
Release schedule
The updated release schedule is available at: data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qt-list-of-datasets
Performance indicators
QT will measure its success in implementing the strategy with the following indicators:
Category
Performance indicators
Target
Timeliness
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Datasets are released within the timeframes indicated in the public
release schedule
90%
Extensiveness
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Total number of datasets released is monitored
All identified datasets are recorded in the internal dataset register
100%
Responsiveness
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Open data requests or feedback from the public or other clients are
acknowledged within one business day
90%
Quality
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Released datasets are reasonably accurate and reliable
Datasets are released in appropriate, open and machine-readable
formats (e.g. CSV)
90%
Future Program 2015–2019
Promoting the open data culture
QT is committed to continually improving access to data held by the department. The Chief
Information Officer will champion the open data initiative on the Information Steering Committee
and at executive management levels. The Open Data Working Group established will champion
open data within QT at operational and grassroots levels.
Feedback and improvement
QT values feedback and interaction with its clients and stakeholders and makes the commitment
that all feedback, requests for data or general enquiries will be acknowledged within one business
day and receive a detailed response within reasonable timeframes.
Feedback will be incorporated into a cycle of continuous improvement based on engagement with
the community, all QT staff, the Open Data Working Group, the Information Steering Committee
and executive management groups.
A feedback and business improvement process map is provided in Appendix 2.
Future goals for open data
Key goals for the future program–and strategies to address them–include:
Time Goals
2015
Deliver access to the data
identified in the release
schedule of this strategy
Identify new data custodians
and datasets for future release
(see ‘Types of data’ table on
page 2)
Raise the profile and
acceptance of open data at all
levels within the agency
Strategies
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Open Data Coordinator will assist dataset custodians
with releasing their data in appropriate formats on
time
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Information Steering Committee to communicate key
messages to executive management–top downward
Coordinator and Open Data Working Group to
continue networking–grassroots upward
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2016–2019
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Embed dataset identification
and release in ‘business as
usual’ terms
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Improve the quality and
reliability of data released
Engage with and respond to
external stakeholders and
clients
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Inclusion of open data in planning and service delivery
activities
Inclusion in ‘Achievement and Development Plans’ for
employees
Intranet cover stories, collaborative sites and training
modules
All new and existing datasets captured in the QT
Dataset Register
Open data focussed metadata captured at dataset
creation time
Release of data accounted for in policies and
procedures
Focus on consistency in data creation, presentation
and release
Data files released in reliable, open and machinereadable formats (CSV, XML)
Data custodians and leadership groups will liaise with
clients
Participation in open data events and activities
Enquiries and feedback are acknowledged, considered
carefully and responded to in a timely way
Contacts
Email
opendata@treasury.qld.gov.au
Phone +61 3035 3101
Post
Open Data Coordinator
Information Branch
Corporate Group
Queensland Treasury
GPO Box 611
BRISBANE QLD 4001
References
Queensland Government data online:
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All Qld Government datasets
www.qld.gov.au/data
All Qld Treasury datasets
data.qld.gov.au/group/treasury
Current QT release schedule
data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qtt-list-of-datasets.
OIC guidelines on datasets:
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Publication and Risk Assessment
www.oic.qld.gov.au/information-and-resources/guidelines/guidelines-privacyprinciples/dataset-publication-and-risk-assessment
De-identification Techniques
www.oic.qld.gov.au/information-and-resources/guidelines/guidelines-privacyprinciples/dataset-publication-and-de-identification-techniques
Privacy
www.oic.qld.gov.au/information-and-resources/guidelines/guidelines-privacyprinciples/dataset-publication-and-privacy
Queensland legislation:
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Information Privacy Act 2009
www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/I/InfoPrivA09.pdf
Right to Information Act 2009
www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/R/RightInfoA09.pdf
Statistical Returns Act 1896
www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/S/StatisRetA1896.pdf
Queensland Government information architecture and standards:
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Information security
http://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/products/information-security
Access and licensing frameworks:
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Australian Governments Open Access and Licensing Framework
www.ausgoal.gov.au
Creative Commons Australia
creativecommons.org.au
© The State of Queensland (Queensland Treasury) 2015
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.
Appendix 1: Identification and release process
Local Dataset
Custodian (LDC)
Open Data
Coordinator (ODC)
Identify new or
existing dataset
De-identify or
aggregate data to
make it suitable
Web Management
Unit (WMU)
Fwd to ODC for
assessment
NO
Suitable for
public release?
YES OR
Suitable for
public release?
YES OR
NO
Dataset not
released
Update Dataset
Register to record
details of non
release
Ensure data file/s
are in correct
format (e.g. CSV)
Update Dataset
Register and
advise LDC
Complete a
metadata form for
the dataset and all
attached resource
data file/s
Review metadata
form and data files
then fwd to WMU
for upload
Publish the
dataset on the
Open Data portal
Dataset
released
Privacy Contact
Officer (PCO)
Update Dataset
Register and
advise the LDC
UNSURE
UNSURE
Suitable for
public release?
YES
Upload data file/s
to a QTT website
and fwd the
permanent URLs
to the ODC
Appendix 2: Feedback and continuous improvement process
(External) Community,
Business & Other Gov
All Staff in QTT
Provide feedback
Advice/review
required before
reply?
Senior & Executive
Management Groups
YES
Information Steering
Committee (ISC)
Consider feedback
and appropriate
response
NO
ISC input/review
required?
YES
NO
Response
received
Respond to
feedback
Endorse response to
feedback
Communicate
feedback to
management
Consider feedback
and appropriate
response
ISC input/review
required?
Identify gaps and
areas for
improvement
Identify datasets and
follow Open Data
procedures
Consider feedback
and appropriate
response
YES
Discuss feedback
and incorporate into
ISC planning
NO
Review and update
QTT Open Data
Strategy as needed
Incorporate into
divisional planning
and service delivery
Communicate Open
Data program &
changes to Managers
& all staff
Communicate Open
Data program &
changes to Exec Mgt
groups