Right to Information

Right to Information Act 2009

As a statutory authority, MAST is required by the Right to Information Act to make information available to the public through proactive disclosure. This means we must routinely make information available to assist the public in understanding what we do and how we do it.

The policy below sets out how MAST will address the requirements of the RTI Act.

The Application of Policy

This policy applies to all Marine and Safety Tasmania staff

Definition

In this policy, the following definition applies:

“information” means –

(a) anything by which words, figures, letters or symbols are recorded and includes a map, plan, graph, drawing, painting, recording and photograph; and

(b) anything in which information is embodied so as to be capable of being reproduced;

Policy on access to documents

MAST is committed, as far as practicable, to providing access to information without recourse to the RTI Act.

Information is made available via our website, through publications (e.g. fact sheets, or discussion papers), and by way of reports (e.g. our Annual Report).

If you cannot find the information via one of the means above it may also be released administratively on request to MAST.

Decisions as to the release of requested information that is not already available are made within the guidelines of the RTI Act, taking into consideration the factors relating to exemptions and public interest.

If it is not freely available, we will assist you to make an application for an assessed disclosure.

Please email admin@mast.tas.gov.au for assistance.

Responsibilities and decision making

As the “principal officer” under the RTI Act, the Chief Executive Officer of MAST is responsible for determining the outcome of RTI applications.

The Chief Executive Officer has delegated her responsibility to an RTI Officer as outlined below.

The RTI Officer is responsible for making initial decisions regarding the release of documents within the time periods set out in the RTI Act;
The RTI Officer may liaise with prospective applicants and MAST staff regarding access to information;
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for any formal internal reviews of decisions made by the RTI Officer, if requested by the applicant;
Further review by the Ombudsman is also available.

Applications for access to information

Applications for information not already available by other means must be made on the application form available on the website.

If you are unable to access the form, please note that your application must be made in writing and include the information that is requested in the form.

This is a requirement of Regulation 4 of the Right to Information Regulations 2021.

Charging

A person applying for access to information under the RTI Act must pay the application fee at the time of application. The fees and charges are specified in the RTI Act.

You may apply to have the fee waived:

if you are in financial hardship. We take that to mean that you are on income support payments (we would usually ask to see evidence that you are in receipt of Centrelink or veterans affairs payments);
where you are a member of parliament and the application is in connection with your official duty; or
if you are able to give us information which shows that the information sought is intended to be used for a purpose that is of general public interest or benefit.

Ensure you have looked for the information before you make a formal application. If the information is otherwise available, your application may be refused without the return of your application fee.

Further information on Right to Information can be found at Ombudsman Tasmania

RTI Application for Assessed Disclosure Form

This form can be lodged by email at admin@mast.tas.gov.au or by mail to GPO Box 607, Hobart 7001.