Appendix B – Freedom of Information
This appendix provides information required under section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), which stipulates that agencies must report annually on:
- the organisation, functions and decision making powers of the agency
- arrangements for public involvement in the work of the agency
- types of documents held by the agency
- where and how the public can gain access to these documents.
Functions and powers
Customs is part of the Attorney-General’s portfolio.
Customs provides effective border management that, with minimal disruption to legitimate trade and travel, prevents illegal movement across the border, raises revenue and provides trade statistics.
Responsibility for administering a range of tax and enforcement legislation is vested by Parliament in the CEO. The CEO’s authority to administer Customs is written into the relevant law, as are the CEO’s general responsibilities, discretionary powers and rights.
Further information on the organisation and functions of Customs, and a list of Commonwealth legislation under which Customs has powers, can be found in the Overview of Customs.
Arrangements for participation
Customs has formal and informal consultative mechanisms in place to allow organisations and people outside the Federal Government to participate in the formulation and administration of policy by Customs. Members of the public can voice their opinions in letters to the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600.
The Customs National Consultative Committee is the major forum for regular consultation with industry bodies.
Informal feedback from clients and other interested parties about the decisions and actions of Customs is encouraged in the form of the Complaints and Compliments System.
Customs also follows a practice of inviting comment on significant policy issues before decisions are made. This includes consulting with relevant industry groups and welcoming feedback from other interested parties.
Types of documents
Customs holds documents on a wide range of topics, which are broadly categorised as:
- agendas, minutes, general correspondence and papers
- internal administration papers (including research and project reports, accounting and financial records, legal records, and staff and staffing records)
- manuals and training materials (including video tapes, guidelines, directions and administrative instructions relating to Customs operations and legislative procedures. This also includes some publications prepared for the guidance of staff and the business community to assist in decision-making)
- briefing papers (including briefs, submissions and reports to the Customs Executive and the Minister for Justice and Customs. These generally relate to policy development and background to particular administrative decisions)
- database records (including computer files, printouts, pre-printed forms and statistical tabulations).
Availability of documents to members of the public
Some documents are generally available while others are available under the FOI Act.
Many of the documents held by Customs are available for free on request, including:
- annual reports
- corporate plans and other associated planning documents
- a range of fact sheets, brochures and booklets including information on importing and exporting goods, information for people travelling overseas and details on industry assistance schemes
- Australian Customs Notices
- Australian Customs Dumping Notices.
To ensure a transparent process in which all interested parties have the maximum opportunity to defend their interests, Customs also maintains a public file for all anti-dumping and countervailing investigations and reviews.
Some documents held by Customs are available for purchase, including:
- Dumping Commodities Register
- Australian Customs Tariff Guide
- Schedule of Commercial Tariff Concession Orders
- Combined Australian Customs Tariff Nomenclature Statistical Classification.
A list of documents available to the public for inspection or purchase under section 9 of the FOI Act can be found on the Customs Internet site.
Documents available to the public are generally available on the Customs Internet site or by calling the Customs Information and Support Centre on 1300 363 263 during business hours.
Applications for access to documents, including those not generally available to the public, can be made under the FOI Act.
Freedom of information inquiries
Inquiries regarding Freedom of Information can be made by contacting the Freedom of Information Coordinator by telephoning (02) 6275 6666 or by writing to:
Central Office
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
5 Constitution Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600
foicoordinator@customs.gov.au
New South Wales
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
10 Cooks River Drive
Sydney International Airport
Sydney NSW 2020
Victoria
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
414 La Trobe Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Queensland
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Terrica Place
140 Creek Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
South Australia
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
220 Commercial Road
Port Adelaide SA 5015
Western Australia
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
2 Henry Street
Fremantle WA 6959
Northern Territory
Freedom of Information Coordinator
Customs House
21 Lindsay Street
Darwin NT 0800
Tasmania
Freedom of Information Coordinator
First Floor MBF Building
25 Argyle Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Inquiries can be made by letter, telephoneor in person. Email inquiries may be sent to foicoordinator@customs.gov.au. Freedom of Information requests must be made in writing and should include telephone contact numbers and a return Australian address. A $30 application fee or a remission request must accompany each request.