NSW Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd has been appointed as the new federal FOI Commissioner, with human rights advocate Carly Kind to take up the role of Privacy Commissioner.

The appointments mark the first time the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has had standalone Privacy and Freedom of Information commissioners since 2015.

It follows the announcement by Angelina Falk, who currently serves a dual role as Privacy Commissioner and Australian Information Commissioner,  that she wouldn’t be seeking a third term.

Ms Tydd has been the Information Commissioner and CEO of the NSW Information and Privacy Commission since 2013.

She was Executive Director at the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing, Department of Communities from 2009 to 2013, and between 1997 and 2009 held a number of senior roles at the NSW Fair Trading department including Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Legal Group and Deputy Chairperson, Consumer Trade and Tenancy Tribunal.

Her appointment commences on February 19, 2024.

Ms Kind has held the role of inaugural Director of the London-based Ada Lovelace data and AI research institute since 2019.

Between 2015 and 2019 she was an independent consultant to a number of human rights organisations, trusts and foundations, international organisations and the private sector.

She has provided advice on legal, ethical and practical issues around data protection, technology and human rights.

Ms Kind will commence on 26 February 2024 at the conclusion of Commissioner Falk’s term.

Commissioner Falk said she looked forward to working with the new commissioners for the remainder of her term.

“This is a significant and welcome step for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Australian community as we move to a three-commissioner model at a time when access to information and the protection of privacy has never been more important,” she said in a statement.

“The new commissioners will bring considerable expertise to promote and uphold privacy and information access rights.

“It is exciting to consider how the background and experience of the new commissioners will contribute to our purpose and meet the regulatory challenges of the future.”

The government flagged its intention to restore a three-commissioner OAIC model in May.