The OIA and the public policy making process: A guide to how the OIA applies to information generated in the context of the public policy making process

This guide explains the most common reasons why it can sometimes be necessary to withhold official information generated in the context of the public policy making process.

These reasons relate to the withholding grounds in sections 9(2)(f)(iv) and 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA—often referred to as the ‘good government’ withholding grounds.

The guide covers:

• The public policy making process
• The need to withhold
• The public interest in release
• General principles
• Planning the public policy making process