Appendix 7: Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information Act statement
This statement is provided in accordance with section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
Functions of ComSuper
The general functions of ComSuper are described in the main body of this report and in the Commissioner for Superannuation Annual Report 2006–07.
Decision-making powers
The power of the DFRDB Authority to administer the provisions of the Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Act 1948 and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Act 1973 is set out in section 8 of the DFRDB Act. The power of the Authority to delegate its powers and functions is set out in section 15. The application of those powers is summarised in this report.
FOI internal procedures
All requests for documents are referred to ComSuper’s Freedom of Information Officer. Compliance with the application fee provisions of the FOI Act are verified and the request is registered and acknowledged. The documents are then obtained and the request is considered by the Officer.
Decisions to grant access, levy charges, or refuse access are made by an officer in the Legal and Compliance Unit.
Requests for internal review of FOI decisions are also referred to the unit. They are then forwarded to the Military Reconsideration Section where they are investigated by a more senior officer prior to submission to the Authority for decision under section 54 of the FOI Act.
Facilities for access
Facilities for viewing documents are provided only at the ComSuper office in Canberra, as ComSuper has no regional offices. Copies of publications (for which there may be a charge) can be obtained by writing to ComSuper.
Information about facilities for access by people with disabilities can be obtained by contacting the FOI Officer.
Consultative arrangements
Informal and ad hoc arrangements exist whereby the national, state and territory branches of the Regular Defence Force Welfare Association may make representations relating to the general administration of the scheme. Representations are also received which relate to the determination of individual benefit entitlements.
Requests for consultation and/or representations relating to policy aspects of the schemes and their underlying legislation are referred to the Military Superannuation Branch of the Department of Defence which has responsibility for advising the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs on such matters.
Categories of documents
The Authority maintains no categories of documents that are open to public access as part of a public register or otherwise, in accordance with an enactment other than the FOI Act, where that access is subject to a fee or other charge.
A booklet and fact sheets that describe various aspects of the DFRDB Scheme, and annual reports, are made available to Members of Parliament, Senators and the public free of charge upon request. They are also available to order online.
In the interests of timeliness and conciseness, this report has been designed to provide only fundamental information. Requests for more detailed information should be directed to:
Freedom of Information Officer
ComSuper
Postal address: PO Box 22
Belconnen ACT 2616
Street address: Unit 4
Cameron Offices
Chandler Street
Belconnen ACT 2617
Telephone: 1300 033 732
Facsimile: (02) 6272 9804
TTY: (02) 6272 9827