(1)   Since October 1996, on how many occasions has a conclusive certificate been issued in relation to departments or agencies within the Minister’s portfolio exempting a document or documents from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI).

(2)   For each occasion: (a) what was the date; (b) what was the department or agency of which the FOI request was made; (c) what officer made the decision; (d) what was the document or documents excluded from disclosure pursuant to the certificate; and (e) was an appeal made against the decision in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; if so, what was the case name and its outcome.

Since October 1996 one conclusive certificate has been issued in relation to documents included in a Freedom of Information request made to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. The certificate was issued on 20 February 2001 by the Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in relation to Cabinet documents. The applicant sought review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal considered that there were reasonable grounds for the exemptions claimed by the certificate. The name of the case is Sutherland Shire Council and Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Department of Finance and Administration.