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OFFICIAL

Dear Christian Fletcher,

Freedom of Information Request FOI23/301

I am writing in regards to your Freedom of Information request received 11
June 2023:

I would like a copy of "Letters Patent Relating to the Office of
Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia" 1984 with the Coat of
Arms of Queen Elizabeth II in the letter head and the signature of Her
Royal Highness authorizing the document. It is claimed in this document
that the Letters Patent are issued "By Her Majesty's Command".

If a copy of the Letters Patent with the Queen's Signature does not exist,
please send me a copy of the document, signed by Her Majesty, that
command's the issuing of the "Letters Patent Relating to the Office of
Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia" 1984

Failing the existence of that document, please send me copy of any
document that commands the issuing of "Letters Patent Relating to the
Office of Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia" 1984 signed
by the Governor-General.

I note that your request is for documents which are about Letters Patent
Relating to the Office of Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of
Australia 1984. As these documents are more than 20 years old, they are
within what is called the ‘open access’ period under the Archives Act 1983
(the Archives Act). The Archives Act governs access to Commonwealth
archival records which enter the open access period 20 years from the date
of creation (or 30 years for Cabinet Notebooks).

Section 12 of the FOI Act provides that a person is not entitled to obtain
access under the FOI Act to documents within the open access period of the
Archives Act unless the documents contain personal information.

Accordingly, although the department is unable to assist further with your
FOI request, it is open to you to seek access to records under the
Archives Act in relation to subject matter through the NAA instead.

More information about identifying and accessing Commonwealth archival
records can be found on the National Archives of Australia websites at:

·         [1]Ask us about the collection | naa.gov.au
(https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-researc...), and

·         [2]Getting started with your research | naa.gov.au
([3]https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-researc...)

Additionally you may wish to view the following web page which contains
the transcript of the PM’s speech about the 1984 Letters Patent Change, if
it is of interest to you:

o [4]Transcript 6443 | PM Transcripts (pmc.gov.au)

Kind regards,

[Personal Information Redacted]

Freedom of Information & Privacy

Attorney-General’s Department

Phone: 02 6141 6666 | Email:  [5][AGD request email]

OFFICIAL

The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address]. 
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email or any attachments have
been sent to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver of any
confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect of information in the
email or attachments.

References

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1. https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-researc...
2. https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-researc...
3. https://www.naa.gov.au/help-your-researc...
4. https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/release...
5. mailto:[AGD request email]