Western Australian Numbered Acts

STATE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL ACT 2004 (NO. 54 OF 2004) - SECT 159

159 .         Whether disclosure contrary to public interest

        (1)         In this section —

        “ certificate” means a certificate under subsection (2);

        “document” includes a part of a document.

        (2)         The Attorney General may certify in writing that the disclosure of information about a specified matter, or the disclosure of any matter contained in a document, would be contrary to the public interest for a reason described in subsection (3) that is specified in the certificate.

        (3)         The certificate may specify that the disclosure would be contrary to the public interest —

            (a)         because the disclosure would reveal deliberations or decisions of —

                  (i)         Cabinet;

                  (ii)         a committee of Cabinet;

                  (iii)         a subcommittee of a committee of Cabinet; or

                  (iv)         Executive Council;

            (b)         because the disclosure would reveal something that parliamentary privilege protects from disclosure;

            (c)         because the disclosure would endanger the national or international security of Western Australia or Australia;

            (d)         because the disclosure would damage inter-governmental relations; or

            (e)         for any other reason that could form the basis for a claim by the State in a proceeding in the Supreme Court that the information or matter should not be disclosed.

        (4)         The Tribunal constituted by the President sitting alone may order that the disclosure of any particular information or document to which a certificate applies would not be contrary to the public interest and, subject to subsection (7), the order has effect despite the certificate.

        (5)         Any information or document to which a certificate applies is required, if requested, to be disclosed to the Tribunal constituted by the President sitting alone for the purpose of deciding whether to make an order under subsection (4).

        (6)         For the purposes of section 105 the question of whether or not the disclosure of any particular information or document would be contrary to the public interest is a question of law.

        (7)         If the Attorney General appeals under section 105 from a decision of the Tribunal to make an order under subsection (4), the Attorney General may notify the Tribunal in writing that the certificate is confirmed and in that case the certificate continues to have effect and the order ceases to have effect —

            (a)         pending the determination of the application for leave to appeal; and

            (b)         if leave is granted, pending the determination of the appeal.