The Australian Steel Company and Minister for the Environment

The Australian Steel Company (TASCO) sought certain information from the Minister for the Environment, which the Minister objected to providing. The matter came before Dr Damien Cremean, Senior Member, of the Tribunal.

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether the information sought by TASCO was sufficiently specific and relevant to warrant disclosure, or if the Minister's objection, based on the information being broad-ranging and speculative, should be upheld.

The Senior Member found that TASCO's request was not broad-ranging but rather very specific. The Tribunal rejected the objection based on a "speculative fishing" concern, indicating that such objections were not a valid basis for withholding information. Consequently, the Tribunal made directions allowing TASCO and NYRSTAR opportunities to address matters of concern to the Tribunal.