ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR A FUTURE MADE IN AUSTRALIA
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TRADE
Senator the Hon Tim Ayres
FOI Reference: AMA/24/01 (Lex 75463)
To Not Rex Patrick
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Not Rex Patrick
Thank you for your email dated 16 July 2024 regarding a request to access documents under
the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act).
Terms of FOI request
You set out your FOI request in the following terms:
Consistent with section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act, I am seeking a
document to be created and provided by the Assistant Minister that includes:
the number of meetings held between the Assistant Minister or his office and the
officials of the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union between 1 July 2022 and 30
June 2023.
I ask that the number be broken down by date and location of the meeting.
I ask this request be processed by the Office of the Assistant Minister for
Manufacturing.
On 28 July 2024 the Prime Minister announced changes to the
Ministry arrangements. These
changes came into effect on 29 July 2024. The processing of your request to the Office of the
Assistant Minister for Manufacturing is being responded to by the Office of the Assistant
Minister for a future made in Australia.
Authorised decision-maker
I am authorised to make a decision in this matter on the Assistant Minister’s behalf.
Material taken into account
In reaching my decision I had regard to:
• the terms of your request
• the Act
• the Guidelines issued by the Information Commissioner, under section 93A of the Act
Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 7700
www.pm.gov.au
Decision
I have decided to refuse access under section 24A(1) of the Act on grounds that reasonable
steps have been taken and documents do not exist.
While a responsive document does not exist, I can advise that between 1 July 2022 and 30
June 2023 the Assistant Minister has met with the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union
on a number of occasions.
Reasons for decision
Section 24A(1) of the Act provides, a Minister may refuse a request for access if:
(a) all reasonable steps have been taken to find the document; and
(b) the agency or Minister is satisfied that the document:
(i)
is in the agency’s or Minister’s possession but cannot be found; or
(ii)
does not exist.
I have had regard to paragraph 3.88 of the Guidelines, which discusses the meaning of the
word ‘reasonable’ in the context of s 24A(1)(a).
I have also had regard to paragraph 3.216 of the Guidelines, which explains that s 17 of the
Act only applies to an agency. This paragraph refers a minister to consider the form of access
to be given, and I have taken this into account when reaching my decision.
I am satisfied that reasonable searches have been conducted for the documents requested.
No relevant documents were identified, and I am satisfied no records responsive to your
terms exist.
Review rights
If you disagree with the decision you may apply for an Information Commissioner review.
A review by the Information Commissioner can be made under section 54L of the Act.
An application for Information Commissioner review must be made in writing within 60 days
after the date of this letter.
More information about review rights and how to apply is available at:
www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews-and-complaints/information-
commissioner-review
Yours sincerely
Sarah Hunt
Chief of Staff
15 August 2024
