RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2009 - SECT 22 Reasons to be given
RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2009 - SECT 22
Reasons to be given
(1) If, in relation to an application for information made to a public authority or Minister, the public authority or Minister decides the public authority or Minister must give the applicant written notice of the decision.(a) that the applicant is not entitled to the information because it is exempt information; or(b) that provision of the information be deferred in accordance with section 17 ; or(c) that provision of the information be refused by virtue of section 19 or 20 (2) Notice given under subsection (1) is to (a) state the reasons for the decision; and(b) if the decision was made on behalf of a public authority or Minister, state the name and designation of the person who made the decision; and(c) inform the applicant of (i) the applicant's right to apply for a review of the decision; and(ii) the authority to which the application for review can be made; and(iii) the time within which the application for review must be made; and(d) if the decision involves or relies upon consideration of the public interest in the application of a provision of this Act, state the public interest considerations on which that decision was based.(3) A public authority or Minister is not required by subsections (1) and (2) to include in a notice given under subsection (1) any exempt information.(4) A public authority or Minister may, in a notice given under subsection (1) , state the decision in terms which neither confirm nor deny the existence of any information which on a ground specified in Division 1 of Part 3 would be exempt information.