Information redacted in BDMRR RIS

Terry Thomas made this Official Information request to Department of Internal Affairs

The request was refused by Department of Internal Affairs.

From: Terry Thomas

Dear Department of Internal Affairs,

I would like the information redacted in the recently published regulatory impact statement (dated 3 May 2021) on change proposals to birth certificates under the Births Deaths Marriages and Relationships Registrations Act.

The issue is one of significant public interest and debate. The impact on the rights of a range of NZers could be significant and time is short to make representations on the proposals.

These are the only two redactions in a rather straightforward RIS. I am concerned that they could be significant for the debate around the proposals. I believe their release could be in the public interest as the information in them would support democratic processes around the bill.

One has been witheld for the reasons of 'free and frank'. That seems hard to believe. This a RIS. One of the primary purposes of these documents is to inform the public of how proposals might affect them. Public release of these documents is almost certain, so it's hard to imagine that such sensitive advice would be included in a high level summary.

I would like you to reconsider your decision in light of the public interest, particularly if the sections are regarding some of the most vulnerable in our community- those in prisons. They have limited ability to know about and engage in regulatory processes that affect them. It's vital that those who advocate for them have access to full information about issues that are being discussed before they become enacted.

As this is due before parliament soon, I hope you will make responding to this request a priority.

In the interim can you please quickly provide a general outline of what subjects are covered in those two redactions.

Yours faithfully,

Terry Thomas

Link to this

From: OIA
Department of Internal Affairs

Tçnâ koe Terry,

Thank you for your OIA request to the Department of Internal Affairs (included with this email)

The Department will provide its response to your request as soon as practicable and within twenty working days.  The 20th working day is 27 July 2021

Please note that in cases where the Department’s response provides information that is identified to be of general public interest, the response may also be published on the Department of Internal Affairs website.  If the Department publishes its response to your OIA request, all personal information, including your name and contact details, will be removed.

Nâku, nâ

Michelle Reed (she/her)  
Kaitohutohu Ârahi, te Ture Pârongo Ôkawa | Lead Advisor Official Correspondence 
Te Urûngi | Organisational Strategy & Performance
Level 6, 45 Pipitea St | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand |  www.dia.govt.nz

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: OIA
Department of Internal Affairs

Apologies Terry, Just correcting my email below. The 20th working day is 28 July 2021.

Ngâ mihi,

Michelle Reed (she/her)  
Kaitohutohu Ârahi, te Ture Pârongo Ôkawa | Lead Advisor Official Correspondence 
Te Urûngi | Organisational Strategy & Performance
Level 6, 45 Pipitea St | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand |  www.dia.govt.nz

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Losaline Hopoi
Department of Internal Affairs


Attachment image002.png
19K Download

Attachment OIA2021 0757 THOMAS.pdf
170K Download View as HTML


Kia ora Terry,

 

Your official Information Act request OIA2021-0757

 

Please find attached the Department of Internal Affairs’ response to your
request of 30 June 2021.

 

 

Mâlô ‘aupito,

 

Losaline Hopoi|Graduate Policy Analyst (She/Her)

Ministerials, Monitoring, and Capability
Department of Internal Affairs | Te Tari Taiwhenua 

Direct Dial: 04 382 3414|  Extn: 4414
45 Pipitea Street | PO Box 805, Wellington 6140, New Zealand |
 [1]www.dia.govt.nz 

[2]Logo-test

 

References

Visible links
1. http://www.dia.govt.nz/

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Department of Internal Affairs only: