In 2008-09, Ministers and Authority staff exercised decision-making powers under
the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Act 2008. As an Australian Government agency, Authority staff also exercise functions and powers under a number of other Acts including the
Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and
the Public Service Act 1999.The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority has authorised officers at the Senior Executive Service and Executive Level 2 levels to make decisions in relation to FOI requests.
Arrangements for bodies or persons outside the Commonwealth to participate in the formulation of policy by the agency, or in the administration by the agency, of any enactment or scheme
The Authority welcomes views and comments from members of the public and bodies outside the Commonwealth on its activities. The Authority facilitates stakeholder participation through a number of channels, including through its committee structure, networks with health professionals and sector organisations, and consultation processes for specific projects.
Categories of documents maintained by the Authority
Categories of documents include:
- Briefing papers and minutes prepared for the Ministers, the Parliamentary Secretary and senior officers in the Authority.
- Internal administration documents relating to staff management and the Authority’s organisation and operation, including personnel records, organisational and staffing records, financial and resource management records, audit records, internal operating procedures, and documents relating to contracts and tendering processes.
- Ministerial and Authority responses to correspondence and parliamentary questions.
- Working papers covering functions and issues handled by the Authority, including program fund and grant administration and planning documents.
- Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding and contracts between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and other bodies and organisations.
- Legal documents, including legislation, contracts, leases, instruments of delegation, legal advices.
- Correspondence with non-government parties.
- Records of meetings and teleconferences with external stakeholders.
- Financial reports, expenditure estimates and expenditure reports.
- Reports prepared by other government agencies and consultants.
- Media releases.
- Committee records.
A number of documents are publicly available either on the Authority’s website or by request.
Facilities that are provided by the agency for enabling members of the public to obtain physical access to the documents of the agency
Physical access to documents can be arranged on request at the Authority’s Canberra office. Inquiries should be directed to the Authority’s Freedom of Information email address:
foi@donatelife.gov.au
Authority manuals
In accordance with Section 9 of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982, a list has been compiled of unpublished manuals and other documents that the Authority uses in making decisions or recommendations that affect the public. The list, as at July 2009, is available on request from the Freedom of Information Officer or any office of the National Archives of Australia.
FOI procedures and initial contact for enquiries
A request for access to documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 must be in writing and accompanied with an application fee (currently $30) and an address in Australia to which notices can be sent. In certain circumstances the fee is not required or can be remitted. To enable a prompt response and to help the Authority to meet its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, applicants should provide as much information as possible about the documents they are seeking. A telephone number or an email address should also be included in case Authority officers need any clarification. Applicants may be liable to pay charges at rates prescribed by the Freedom of Information (Fees and Charges) Regulations.
Enquiries regarding submission of a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 should be directed to the Authority’s Freedom of Information Officer, telephone (02) 6198 9800
Requests should be posted to:FOI Officer
Organ and Tissue Authority
PO Box 295
CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608
In accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act 1999, Freedom of Information requests may be emailed to
foi@donatelife.gov.au. However, as a request must be accompanied by an application fee, in most cases no action will be taken until the application fee is received or a request has been made for the remission of the application fee.
Freedom of Information Statistics
In 2008-09 the Authority received no Freedom of Information requests.
