About DAFF

Appendix 5 - Freedom of information

Section 8 of the FOI Act requires departments and statutory authorities to make information available about their functions, organisation and operations. The information for the department is contained in the body of this Annual Report. Separate information about the powers of the Minister and the businesses are at the back of this appendix.

Under the FOI Act, the department is required to provide information setting out particulars of arrangements for individuals or bodies to participate, either through consultative procedures, by making representations or otherwise, in the formulation of departmental policy or administration of its programs. This statement satisfies these requirements.

Applications for information under the FOI Act should be sent to:

The Secretary
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
PO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Attention: Freedom of Information Coordinator

Telephone: 02 6272 4336
Facsimile: 02 6272 4959

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Freedom of Information Coordinator with any questions relating to applications under the FOI Act. The coordinator can help identify the documents sought, provide advice on the obligations of applicants and the department, and answer questions relating to the handling of requests.

A wide variety of materials is available to the public. Many documents are available online or in hard copy. There may be a charge for some publications/audiovisual material. More information about departmental publications is available online at www.daff.gov.au/publications or by phoning the Departmental Information Officer on 02 6272 5120.

The following is a summary by subject of the type of material available from the department. Materials comprise: articles, books, CDs, conference and proceedings papers, corporate documents, data and statistics, discussion papers, educational and awareness kits, fact sheets, holding orders, guidelines, journals, labelling requirements, lists (i.e. chemical compounds), newsletters, pamphlets, posters, program information kits, occasional papers, registers (export, import, restriction, etc), reports, research papers, resource kits, social atlases, standards listings, surveys, and training manuals and videos.

Publication subject areas

ABARE -various items on economic issues relating to the agricultural, food, environmental, natural resources, mining, energy, fisheries and forestry industries
About the department - functions
Agribusiness
Agricultural industries
Agricultural pests/feral animals
Agriculture - Advancing Australia
Agriculture and food sciences
Animal and plant issues
Animal products
Animal welfare
Aquatic animal disease information
Aquaculture
Australian Government drought assistance
Australian National Residue Survey
Australian Plague Locust Commission
AQIS - Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service - various items relating to quarantine issues of the agricultural, environmental, natural resources, fisheries, forestry and food sectors
Australian Water Resources Council and its Standing Committee
Ballast water
Biosecurity Australia
Biosecurity policy
Biotechnology
BRS - Bureau of Rural Sciences - various items on a variety of scientific, environmental and social issues relating to the agricultural, environmental, natural resources, fisheries, forestry and food sectors
Centenary of Federation
Chemicals management, use and approval (agvet)
Chief Veterinary Officer issues
Climate
Commodities – including statistics
Cotton
Crops
Dairy
Data
Economics - agriculture and trade, commodity analysis, energy and minerals, food, natural resources, research
Effluent management
Employment opportunities
Energy data
Exceptional Circumstances
Export
Export registration – including fish, dairy, eggs, fruit and vegetables, grain, meat - seasonal
Farm business and education
Farm help
Farm surveys
Field crops
Fisheries - including National Taskforce on Imported Fish and Fish Products, statistics, surveys
Food – including safety, packaging, standards, shipping and quality assurance, inspection operations
Forestry - including forest products, forestry and vegetation sciences
Gene technology and genetically modified organisms
Graduate recruitment
Grains
Grants
Greenhouse research, information and technology
Horticulture
Imports
Import Risk Analyses and Biosecurity policy reviews
Indigenous people
Innovation
International Agreements, including World Trade Organisation and Sanitary and Phytosanitary
International agriculture
Invasive disease taskforce issues
Land and water
Landcare and regional issues
Landscape management sciences
Levies
Marine sciences
Market maintenance
Meat hygiene
Minerals and energy issues
National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
National food policy
National Residue Survey
Natural Heritage Trust
Natural resource management issues and strategies
National Rural Advisory Council
New Industries Development Program
Outlook conference
Pests and diseases
Plague locusts
Plant breeder's rights
Plants and weeds
Pork
Product integrity
Programs
Quarantine - including general, border protection, cargo management and Northern Australia
Recreational fishing
Regional Forest Agreements
Research and development - corporations
Rural industry leadership
Rural and remote area resources and classifications
Rural Data Library and Information Sciences
Rural policy
Salinity
Salinity risk management sciences
Science and innovation awards
Smallgoods manufacturing
Social sciences
Statutory marketing authorities
Supply chain
Technical market access issues
Trade policy
Water - including Murray-Darling Basin, quality management, sciences
Weeds of national significance and other issues
Wheat
Wine and viticulture
Women in rural industries
Wool
Young people in rural industries

Briefs, submissions and reports
Copies of briefing papers, reports and submissions prepared by departmental officers are held within relevant businesses. These include papers prepared for ministers, committees, corporations, conferences and intra-departmental use.

Files
The department maintains files of both a general (administrative) and a specific (departmental functions) nature. These contain administrative and working documents such as papers, correspondence, briefings, submissions and reports produced in the performance of departmental functions. Certain files contain records of a more specific nature, including maps, automatic data processing, parliamentary questions and personnel and finance arrangements for the businesses.

Businesses are accountable for creating and maintaining records as evidence of business activities and transactions. These records are registered on a centralised records management system maintained by the Information Services Centre but accessible by all departmental officers for enquiry only.

An indexed list of files can be found on the department’s website.

Finance documentation
Documents on administration, staffing and financial estimates are held in relevant areas of the department. These include reports, plans and papers relating to management and functional planning, review and evaluation.

Mailing lists
Mailing lists for the dissemination of information to the public are held within businesses.

Manuals
Manuals relating to the following subjects are produced by the department:

Assessment and publication of situation and outlook reports for the rural sectors
Cargo containers – quarantine aspects and procedures*
Crops research and technical studies of horticultural industries
Export control standards and procedures for food commodities
Exceptional Circumstances Handbook
Guidelines for the approval of chemical compounds used at establishments registered to prepare goods prescribed for the purpose of the Export Control Act 1982*
Greenhouse Challenge workbooks
Legislation, ministerial and parliamentary procedures
Manual for control of Listeria in registered establishments processing fish for export
Manuals relating to the export of food commodities *
Personnel and recruitment procedures
Plans covering emergency procedures in the event of an exotic disease outbreak in the livestock and pastoral industries (currently, AUSVETPLAN contains 46 separate manuals)
Plans covering emergency procedures in the event of an exotic or emergency disease outbreak in the aquatic animal industries (currently, AQUAVETPLAN contains two published manuals, and four manuals are at various stages of preparation)
Quarantine procedural manuals
Quarantine import conditions manuals
Scientific and technical innovations
Technical studies of the livestock industries
Import Risk Analysis Process Handbook*

*Publications are available through the department’s website.

Databases
The department maintains a range of databases of information associated with the conduct of its functions. Also refer to Registers.

These include:

ABARE farm surveys database
ABARE fish survey database
ABARE fuel and electricity survey database
AQIS brochure distribution database
AQIS media release database
AQIS organic export data tracking system
AQIS public relations database information
Biosecurity Australia stakeholder register
Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy news and AQIS bulletin mailing list
Plant Breeders Right’s plant varieties database.

Agreements
In performing departmental functions, a range of agreements are entered into with both state/territory, national and international bodies. The most important of these are:

the agreements between Australia and the United Kingdom, United States, Japan and Italy concerning cooperation in research and development
the Australia-Indonesian Ministerial Forum Working Group on Agricultural and Food Co-operation
agreements for the acceptance of overseas government food inspection certifications and a variety of agreements with the states and territories on a range of portfolio matters
agricultural cooperation agreements with China and Thailand
protection of new plant varieties in accordance with the Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants Convention
commercial agreements and contracts relating to the supply of goods and services to the department and the payment of program funds available to the department
Murray-Darling Basin Agreement between the Australian Government, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia
in accordance with Section 19(2) of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 Partnership Agreements between the Australian Government and each state and territory to assist the delivery of programs funded from the Trust (these agreements were concluded during the first half of 1997-98; the then Minister for Primary Industries and Energy was among the Australian Government signatories)
Memorandum of Understanding between the Independent State of Papua New Guinea and the Government of Australia on Collaborative Animal and Plant Health and Quarantine Activities
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of Australia on Collaborative Animal and Plant Health and Quarantine Activities
Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs), which are 20-year agreements between the Australian Government and state governments for the conservation and ecologically sustainable management of Australia’s native forests (copies of RFAs are available for Tasmania, South-West Western Australia, Eden New South Wales, Southern New South Wales, Upper and Lower North East New South Wales, Central Highlands Victoria, Gippsland Victoria, East Gippsland Victoria, North East Victoria and West Victoria)
Intergovernmental agreements with Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia on the funding and conduct of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative.

Registers
The Plant Breeder’s Rights Office maintains a register of plant varieties protected by plant breeder’s rights. AQIS maintains information on the registration of export establishments. Also refer to Databases.

Arrangements for outside participation

Formal and ad hoc arrangements for individuals and bodies to participate in the policy formulation and administration of the department take a variety of forms, including representation on committees, working parties and advisory bodies, attendance at industry meetings and calls for submissions from industry and other stakeholders to the department.

In addition, individuals and bodies can participate by putting suggestions, complaints and comments in writing to the Secretary. They can also write to the Ministers or the Parliamentary Secretary about general portfolio issues.

Where specific statutory arrangements are required for consultation with individuals or bodies outside the department, a description of these arrangements is included in the entries below.

General and media inquiries relating to departmental activities and responsibilities should be directed to the department’s Information Officer, telephone 02 6272 5120.

Powers of the Minister and the businesses

Material relating to the functions of the businesses can be found in the body of this report. Below are the powers exercised by the Minister and by officers within the department with delegated powers.

Natural Resource Management Business
The Minister has the power:

to make decisions relating to the expenditure of funds under the Natural Resource Management (Financial Assistance) Act 1992
as a member of the Natural Heritage Ministerial Board to take decisions on matters relating to the Natural Heritage Trust Reserve, including the expending of money and the preparation of estimates
to take decisions on matters relating to the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality jointly with the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, including the accreditation of regional plans and expending of money
to make appointments to certain positions in the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) and the Australian Landcare Council
as chair of the MDBC, to have a significant role in the management of the natural resources of the basin.

Under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989:

approve the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC) five-year research and development and annual operational plans or variations of the plans
agree to the tabling of the LWRRDC annual report in Parliament
issue directions to the LWRRDC in certain circumstances.

Rural Policy and Innovation Business
The Minister has the power to:

approve corporate and annual operational plans of statutory bodies and annual reports for tabling in parliament
appoint members to the Rural Innovation Advisory Council
approve the guidelines for the Farm Innovation Program
approve the grants under the Farm Innovation Program
appoint the chairperson and members to the National Rural Advisory Council
approve grants under the various programs
declare Exceptional Circumstances for regions in Australia
make decisions relating to war service leases
determine levels of financial assistance to the states and the Northern Territory under the Rural Adjustment Act 1992.

Under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989:

approve Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) five-year research and development plan and annual operating plan or approve requests for variation to the plans and agree to the tabling of RIRDC’s annual report in parliament
issue directions to the RIRDC in certain circumstances
make a declaration or approve arrangements relating to levies.

Under the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994:

appoint members to the Plant Breeder’s Rights Advisory Council
make declarations or impose conditions on plant varieties or taxa covered by the Plant Breeder’s Rights scheme.

Food and Agriculture Business
The Minister has the power to:

review decisions and issue directions to request reports from, and make declarations to, statutory bodies in certain circumstances
approve specified contracts, arrangements, guidelines, borrowings and financial transactions of statutory bodies
make declarations or approve arrangements relating to certain levies
enter into arrangements with a state or territory for transfer of funds with a view to the control and eradication in Australia of exotic diseases affecting livestock
issue directions to statutory bodies and the horticultural industry service company and export control body in certain circumstances
taking account of advice from affected industry sectors, make recommendations for regulations relating to the imposition of certain levies and determine the gross value of production for the purposes of establishing the limit of Australian Government matching payments for research and establishing the limits of levies and charges payable
enter into contracts with industry service bodies operating under the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the provision of amounts equal to farmer levies and matching Australian Government payments, by the Australian Government, for R&D and other industry service activities
appoint persons as authorised persons for various purposes specified in legislation
make recommendations to the Prime Minister on appointments to the National Food Industry Council
review and approve or request amendments to the annual business plan and budget for the expenditure of contract payments by National Food Industry Strategy Ltd (NFIS Ltd)
approve variations to the annual business plan of NFIS Ltd
approve, following consultation with the Minister for Science, guidelines on eligibility criteria for allocating funds to R&D centres under the NFIS Centres of Excellence Program
approve, following consultation with the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, guidelines on eligibility criteria for allocating funds to applicants under the NFIS Food Innovation Grants Program
notify NFIS Ltd that the managing director’s contract of employment should be terminated
appoint the chairman and other members of the New Industries Development Program (NIDP) Advisory Committee
make final funding decisions relating to the NIDP or delegate to the authorised officer of the department
when acting as a member of the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, provide policy guidance to Food Standards Australia New Zealand on the development of food standards; and approve, reject, or review food standards under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991.

Specific officers in the business have powers to approve the importation of certain types of wool packs and the authority to approve exports of merino rams and merino semen for breeding purposes. Arrangements relating to certain levies and taxes, including increases in the operative and maximum rates, may only be made at the request of, or after consultation with, specified industry bodies. Regular consultation takes place with a wide range of industry bodies.

Fisheries and Forestry Business
The Minister has the power to:

approve the corporate and annual operating plans for tabling of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) , or request a variation to such plans.
accept a plan of management for a fishery submitted by AFMA, or refer the plan back to AFMA and issue directions to AFMA and the FRDC in certain circumstances
approve AFMA’s entering into agreements to grant licences to permit foreign fishing boats to fish in areas of the Australian Fishing Zone; authorise the prosecution of operators of foreign treaty boats; and determine the annual gross value of production of the Australian fishing industry for the purposes of funding the FRDC and the Fisheries Resources Research Fund (FRRF)
make decisions relating to the expenditure of funds pursuant to the National Forest Policy Statement, the Eden Region Adjustment Package, and the Forest Industry Structural Adjustment Package
issue and withdraw export approvals of woodchips and unprocessed wood
approve corporate and annual operating plans for the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation and annual reports for tabling in Parliament
taking account of advice from affected industry sectors, make regulations relating to the imposition of certain levies and determine the gross value of production for the purposes of establishing the limit of Australian Government matching payments for research and establishing the limits of levies and charges payable.

Last reviewed:
07 May 2009

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Appendix 5 - Freedom of information

Table of Contents

Publication subject areas

Arrangements for outside participation

Powers of the Minister and the businesses