Commissioner Profile
Mr John LightowlersActing Information CommissionerEx-officio Member (Commission member 2007- ) |
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Bachelor of Jurisprudence, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Business Administration, Fellow CPA Australia
John Lightowlers was appointed Acting Information Commissioner on 1 November 2007. As Acting Information Commissioner, he is responsible for dealing with complaints concerning access to documents under the FOI Act and ensuring that agencies and applicants are aware of their respective rights and responsibilities under the legislation.
Immediately prior to his appointment, Mr Lightowlers occupied the position of General Counsel, Public Sector Management Division in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet where he was responsible for providing legal advice and assistance including in relation to administration of the Public Sector Management Act 1994, the Civil Liability Act 2002, the Machinery of Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2006 and the Daylight Saving Act 2006, and with respect to issues relating to the management and structure of the state’s public sector such as the corporatisation and privatization of various government trading enterprises.
John is a qualified lawyer and accountant. His background includes having worked for 7 years in private legal practice with the major commercial law firm Stone James Stephen Jaques (now Mallesons Stephen Jaques). He has also worked in both State and Commonwealth government agencies including as regional general counsel for the Australian Securities Commission, as principal solicitor for the Western Australia Prisons Department, and as Deputy Commissioner for Corporate Affairs at the Corporate Affairs Department. He supported Dr Michael Keating on the Review of the Major Development Projects Approvals System in Western Australia; was chief of staff to former State Attorney General Hon Joe Berinson QC; and has also undertaken overseas project work as a legal expert funded by the Asian Development Bank involving establishment of audit, financial management and state owned companies legislative frameworks.
Contact Details:
Office of the Information Commissioner
Post: Post Office Box Z5386
St Georges Tce
Perth Western Australia 6831
Phone: (08) 9220 7888
Fax: (08) 9325 2152
Email: info@foi.wa.gov.au
Website: http://www.foi.wa.gov.au
