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    <title>Freedom of Information - webpublishing.agimo.gov.au</title>
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      <title>Freedom of Information</title>
      <link>http://webpublishing.agimo.gov.au/Freedom_of_Information</link>
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<h2>Freedom of Information</h2><div class="mandatoryrequirement"><a href="Mandatory_Requirements" title="This item is a mandatory requirement. View a list of all mandatory requirements."><img src="/media/show-all-mandatory-requirements.gif" alt="" /><span>Mandatory</span></a></div><p>Freedom of information extends the right of every person to access to information in the possession of the Australian Government and its authorities. It is limited only by exceptions necessary for the protection of essential public interests and the private and business affairs of those about whom government agencies collect and hold information.</p>
<h3>Why Must I?</h3>
<p>The <em><a class="externallink" href="/bye?http://www.comlaw.gov.au/comlaw/management.nsf/lookupindexpagesbyid/IP200401430?OpenDocument">Freedom of Information Act 1982</a></em> (FOI Act) affects agencies in two ways:</p>
<ul>
  <li>it requires Commonwealth agencies (departments and authorities) to publish information about their operations and powers affecting members of the public as well as their manuals and other documents used in making decisions and recommendations affecting the public</li>
  <li>it requires agencies to provide access to documents in their possession unless the document is within an exception or exemption specified in the legislation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>How Do I?</h3>
<ul>
  <li><a class="externallink" href="/bye?http://www.dpmc.gov.au/foi/index.cfm">Freedom of Information</a> (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)</li>
  <li><a class="externallink" href="/bye?http://www.dpmc.gov.au/foi/guidelines.cfm">Freedom of Information Guidelines</a> (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)</li>
  <li><a class="externallink" href="/bye?http://www.dpmc.gov.au/foi/faq.cfm">Freedom of Information - Questions and answers</a> (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Who Can Help?</h3>
<p>In the first instance, for all queries, contact the Freedom of Information officer within your department or agency.</p>
<p>For specific advice on Freedom of Information policy contact:<br />
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Privacy and Freedom of Information Policy Branch<br />
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:pfoipb@pmc.gov.au?subject=FOI%20Policy">pfoipb@pmc.gov.au</a> </p>
</blockquote>
<h3>What's Related?</h3>
<ul>
  <li><a href="Privacy_and_Privacy_Statements">Privacy and Privacy Statements</a></li>
  <li><a href="Archiving">Archiving</a></li>
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