Dealing with OIA requests involving Ministers: A guide to transfer, consultation, and the notification of decisions on OIA requests

This guide provides advice for agencies dealing with OIA requests where Ministers might need to be involved.

It explains when it is lawful and reasonable for an agency to:

• transfer a request to a Minister;

• consult a Minister on a request; or

• notify a Minister of a decision the agency has taken on a request.

It has practical resources including:

• a flow chart for dealing with requests involving Ministers;

• a step-by-step worksheet for dealing with requests involving Ministers; and

• case studies of actual complaints considered by the Ombudsman.