Dear Ms Riordan

I refer to your email of 23 May 2014 in which you sought access to
documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), in
particular:

“I would be very greatful if you could answer this question as best you
can please . In our home we are having a debate on what is the minimum age
that our wonderful politicians can access their pension after retirement
from office we know that legislation changed in 2002 but we are unable to
assertain the required minimum age politicians can now access their
pensions . Any information on age and requirements would be very helpful
in our family debate.”

Subsection 15(1) of the FOI Act states that ‘…a person who wishes to
obtain access to a document of an agency or an official document of a
Minister may request access to the document (our emphasis).  The Office of
the Australian Information Commissioner guidelines state that ‘the right
of access is to existing documents, rather than to information’ (paragraph
3.12 refers). Your request does not satisfy the requirement in section 15
as the request is for information and not a document.

However, the information that you have sought in your request is publicly
available and can be found on page 5 of the following handbook:
[1]http://www.finance.gov.au/sites/default/...

Regards

FOI Team

Parliamentary and Legal Services Unit

Ministerial and Communications Division

The Treasury, Langton Crescent, Parkes ACT 2600

Phone:  (02) 6263 2800

Email:  [2][email address]

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