Freedom of Information
Appendix C details IBA’s Freedom of Information requests handled in 2008–09 under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
Organisation and functions
IBA is part of the Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio. Information about the portfolio can be found on the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website, www.fahcsia.gov.au. Information about IBA, including its role and its approach to it, can be found in the ‘About IBA’ section of this report and on the IBA website, www.IBA.gov.au.
Decision-making powers
The IBA Board and the IBA General Manager may exercise decision-making powers under the following Acts, or parts of Acts:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005
- Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.
Arrangements for outside participation
Members of the public are able to make representations in writing to IBA about a range of policies, the administration of IBA and other matters. IBA provides:
- a FreeCALL™ phone line and email address
- timely information to clients to give them the opportunity to raise any concerns
- opportunities for stakeholder engagement
- instructions on how to make complaints in its Service Charter.
Documents held
Documents in the categories listed below are held by IBA as paper records or on optical audio or digital media:
- briefs, submissions and reports
- administration documents from areas such as human resources, finance, property management and resource management
- documents relating to the provision of IBA-specific services, including individual case files and papers
- separate records of Board and management meetings, such as agendas and minutes
- general correspondence and associated categories of documents according to subject matter
- ministerial, interdepartmental and general correspondence
- internal administration papers
- IBA policy documents and procedures
- copies of instruments of delegations, contracts and deeds
- requests for external advice and copies of notes and advice given
- briefing papers prepared for ministers
- answers to parliamentary questions
- training material
- FOI request files and papers dealing with consideration of those requests, financial reports, expenditure estimates and expenditure reports.
How to lodge a Freedom of Information request
A request for access to documents in accordance with the FOI Act must be made in writing and include an address in Australia to which notices can be sent. Before processing of an application can commence, a $30 application fee must be received in respect of any request made under the FOI Act. In certain circumstances, such as financial hardship or if the release of the document in question is in the general public interest, the fee may not be required or may be remitted.
If applicants are dissatisfied with a decision made under the FOI Act, they may apply for an internal review of the decision. Requests for internal review are subject to a $40 application fee, which must accompany the request. Applicants can seek to have this fee remitted in accordance with the provisions of section 30A of the FOI Act.
IBA is exempt from the provisions of the FOI Act in relation to documents in respect of its commercial activities.
Requests for access to documents under the FOI Act should be sent to:
FOI Coordinator
Indigenous Business Australia
PO Box 38
Woden ACT 2606
Telephone: 02 6121 2700