Freedom of Information Act 1991

An agency must notify an applicant in writing—

of its determination of his or her application; or

if the application relates to a document that is not held by the agency—of the fact that the agency does not hold such a document.

Such a notice must specify—

the day on which the determination was made; and

—

the name and designation of the officer by whom the determination was made; and

the rights of review conferred by this Act; and

the procedures to be followed for the purpose of exercising those rights; and

if the determination is to the effect that access to a document is to be given (either immediately or subject to deferral)—the amount of any charge payable in respect of the giving of access; and

if the determination is to the effect that the document is an exempt document and that access is to be given to a copy of the document from which exempt matter has been deleted—the fact that the document is such a copy and the provision of Schedule

if the determination is to the effect that access to a document is to be given subject to deferral—

the reason for the deferral; and

if applicable—the likely period of deferral; and

if the determination is to the effect that access to a document is refused—

the reasons for the refusal, including—

the grounds for the refusal under section 20(1);

if a ground for the refusal is that the document is an exempt document—the particular provision of Schedule

the findings on any material questions of fact underlying the reasons for the refusal, together with a reference to the sources of information on which those findings are based; and

the amount of any charge for dealing with the application, together with—

a statement of any amount payable by the applicant; or

a statement of any amount refundable to the applicant, in relation to the charge, having regard to the sum of any advance deposits paid in respect of the application.

Where an applicant applies for access to a document that is an exempt document for reasons related to criminal investigation or law enforcement, the notice may be given in a form that neither admits or denies the existence of the document and, if disclosure of the existence of the document could prejudice the safety of a person, the notice must be given in that form.

An agency is not required to include in a notice any matter if its inclusion in the notice would result in the notice being an exempt document.