The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) does not apply to all documents, some documents are exempt [s 11]. For example:
- certain documents of the Independent Review (commencing in 2021) [ss 4(1), 7(2DA);
- documents affecting national security, defence, international relations [s 33];
- Cabinet documents [s 34];
- documents affecting the enforcement of the law and public safety [s 37];
- documents to which specified secrecy laws apply [s 38];
- documents subject to legal professional privilege [s 42];
- documents containing material obtained in confidence [s 45];
- documents, disclosure of which would be contempt of court or Parliament [s 46];
- documents disclosing trade secrets or commercially valuable information [s 47];
- electoral rolls and related documents [s 47A].
In addition, there is a further category of exemptions where information may be released if it can be shown not to be contrary to the public interest. This includes:
- documents affecting relations with the States and the Commonwealth [s 47B];
- documents concerning deliberative processes [s 47C];
- documents relating to financial or property interests of the Commonwealth [s 47D];
- documents relating to certain operations of agencies [s 47E];
- documents relating to personal privacy [s 47F];
- research documents [s 47H];
- documents relating to personal professional business affairs [s 47G];
- documents concerning the economy [s 47J].
Exemptions : Last Revised: Mon Oct 20th 2014
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