LHTT and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Freedom of Information)

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered an application by LHTT for access to documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the *Freedom of Information Act 1982* (Cth). LHTT sought access to a draft version of a country information assessment and associated source and commentary documents. DFAT had refused access to these documents, citing exemptions under the Act.

The Tribunal was required to determine whether the documents sought by LHTT were exempt from disclosure. Specifically, the AAT had to consider whether the documents fell within the scope of any applicable exemptions, and if so, whether the public interest considerations favoured disclosure over exemption.

Deputy President B W Rayment Oam Qc P affirmed DFAT's decision to refuse access. The Tribunal found that the documents were exempt from disclosure under the *Freedom of Information Act 1982* (Cth). The Deputy President concluded that the public interest considerations did not outweigh the need to maintain the exemptions, particularly in relation to the integrity of DFAT's assessment processes and the protection of sensitive information.