With the recent media focus on the Burke – Fong Inquiry, the Records Management Association of Australasia (RMAA) felt it was appropriate and timely to reinforce the principles of good recordkeeping.
WA State Government Agencies are required to comply with the State Records Act 2000, which includes having an approved Recordkeeping Plan. A Recordkeeping Plan is a document outlining what records are to be created and how records are to be managed. An accompanying document under this compliance requirement is an approved Retention and Disposal Schedule, which details how long records must be kept for and when records can be destroyed or transferred as a State Archive. This document is approved by a panel of experts under the guidance of the State Records Commission.
The definition of a record is clearly defined in the State Records Act 2000 and specifically refers to electronic records, which implies emails.
WA State Government Agencies should take their guidance from their internal Records Manager in the first instance and the State Records Office in the second instance.
The State Records Office provides a consultative and advisory service for Records Managers throughout the public sector. The State Records Office also formulates policies and standards to assist agencies. This service aims to promote best practice recordkeeping, and compliance with current recordkeeping standards.
All WA State Government Agency Directors General have recordkeeping in their performance agreements. There is little excuse for agencies to not comply or plead ignorance after 7 years of the State Records Act 2000 being in place. We hope this inquiry will further highlight the value of engaging a suitably qualified professional in providing recordkeeping advice to agencies.
The RMAA is a professional body representing Records Managers and Information Professionals in Australasia. The RMAA has worked tirelessly over the years to promote and encourage best practice and the recruitment of Professionals within agencies. It is important that agencies understand the value a Professional Records Manager can provide to an executive team.
Kemal Hasandedic FRMA
National President
RMAA
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