Section 47(3)(d)

47 – Grounds on which access may be refused

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(3) On an application, an agency may refuse access to a document of the agency and a Minister may refuse access to a document of the Minister—

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(d) to the extent the document comprises an applicant's relevant healthcare information the disclosure of which might be prejudicial to the physical or mental health or wellbeing of the applicant under section 51; or

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51 Contrary to applicant’s best interests – healthcare information

(1) If an access application is made to an agency or Minister for a document, the agency or Minister must decide to give access to the document unless disclosure would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest.

(2) Despite schedule 3, section 12(2) and schedule 4, part 2, item 7, the Parliament considers it would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest to give access to a document to the extent it comprises relevant healthcare information of the applicant if the disclosure of the information might be prejudicial to the physical or mental health or wellbeing of the applicant.

Note –

Only a principal officer, Minister or appointed healthcare professional may decide whether disclosure might be prejudicial to the physical or mental health or wellbeing of the applicant – see sections 30(5) and 31(2).

(3) However, despite an agency or Minister being able, under section 47(3)(d), to refuse access to all or part of a document, the agency or the Minister may decide to give access.

Notes –

1 Only a principal officer, Minister or appointed healthcare professional may decide to give access under subsection (3) – see sections 30(5) and 31(2)

2 Also, relevant healthcare information to which access is refused may ultimately be disclosed to the applicant by the applicant’s nominated healthcare professional under section 77.