Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Technology) Share this | Hansard source

I table a response to a question taken on notice by the Minister for Finance, Senator Cormann, during questions without notice on 14 May 2020 relating to COVID briefings and freedom-of-information requests. I also seek leave to have the response incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

Dear Mr President

I write with regard to a question I took on notice from Senator Patrick during Question Time, Thursday 14 May 2020, on the matter of COVID-19 briefings and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

I can advise that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department) processes all FOI requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and the Guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act, including its reliance on exemptions.

As Senator Patrick is aware from the FOI decision provided to him by the Department, the documents were exempt from release on the basis of a number of provisions of the FOI Act, including:

In relation to the FOI request made of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), I can advise that DFAT is currently finalising this request.

I have copied this letter to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Senator Patrick.

Kind regards,

Mathias Cormann

Minister for Finance

10 June 2020