This statement is provided in accordance with Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982(the FOI Act). The FOI Act extends to the Australian community the right to obtain access to information in the possession of the Commonwealth Government. Access is limited only by specific exemptions detailed in the FOI Act, which include the protection of essential public interests and personal information.

Section 8 of the FOI Act requires each agency to publish information about the way it is organised, its decision-making powers, arrangements for external bodies or persons outside the Agency and the Commonwealth to participate in the formulation of an Agency's policy, administration or any enactment or scheme of an Agency. Section 8 also requires disclosure of the number of FOI applications made in any year, procedures and facilities for access and categories of documents it holds.

THE ORGANISATION, FUNCTIONS AND DECISION MAKING POWERS OF THE AGENCY

This information is contained in the body of the Annual Report. Decision-making powers of the Agency are exercised under or in relation to the Meteorology Act 1955.

NUMBER OF FOI REQUESTS

During 2003-04 the agency did not receive any applications pursuant to the FOI Act. There were no appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

CATEGORIES OF DOCUMENTS THAT ARE MAINTAINED BY THE AGENCY

• Policy advice and internal administration (financial, staffing, office procedures and similar documents);
• Documents relating to management and administration including reports, briefings, minutes, submissions and other documents;
• Tender proposals, evaluations, contracts, property documents, Memorandums of Understanding;
• Cabinet submissions, Ministerial briefings;
• Guidelines, manuals and other reference material used by staff;
• Audio and visual material used for training and other activities;
• Paper and electronic records and databases including climate records, meteorological data and other meteorological information; and
• Legal documents.

OUTSIDE PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

• Bureau of Meteorology Advisory Board.
• Consultative Meetings with Private Meteorological Service Providers.
• Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology Aviation Industry Consultative Meetings.
• State Marine Consultative Committees.
• Routine Public User Surveys.
• Regional Emergency Services joint meetings.
• Other meetings with agricultural groups, airport owners, etc.
• Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Governing Boards (CRC for Catchment Hydrology, Bushfire CRC, CRC for Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems).
• Flood Warning Consultative Committees (State and Northern Territory).
• Australian Government Counter Disaster Task Force.
• Agricultural Weather Consultative Committees (SA, NSW, Tas, Vic).
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council, Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council, Environmental Protection and Health Council and their Standing Committees and associated committee structures.
• State Bushfire Councils and Advisory Committees.
• Tropical Cyclone Committees and Advisory Groups (WA, Qld).
• State and local committees for Disaster Mitigation.
• Disaster Mitigation Assistance Package joint agency work groups.

FOI PROCEDURES AND FACILITIES, INITIAL INQUIRIES AND ACCESS

Freedom of Information matters (within the Agency) are handled by the Legal Section in the Bureau's Head Office. The FOI Officer may be contacted on 03 9669 4669.

A list of the Bureau's publications and other material is available at: www.bom.gov.au Access is usually provided on the payment of an application fee (which is prescribed by the FOI regulations) and a formal written request. Details of a postal address and telephone contact number should be included in the request. If access to all or some of the material requested is denied, a written response with reasons will be provided. Where access is granted, this is usually provided in the form of copies of requested material. A reading area can be made available for the inspection of documents by arrangement with the FOI officer.