Murray Watt denies access to live export phase-out report in Australia

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has rejected the request for the release of the Independent Panel's report on the phase-out of live sheep exports by sea under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. In correspondence received by Farm Weekly, from Mr Watt's office, the request to view the document was rejected. The letter said the report had been made a Cabinet document, effectively sealing it, never to be released. "The Office holds one document (totalling 230 pages) that relates to your request," the letter said. "I have decided to refuse access to this document (document one), I have decided that the document that you have requested is exempt under the FOI Act as it is a Cabinet document (section 34(3))." Under Section 34(3) of the FOI Act provides that: A document is an exempt document to the extent that it contains information the disclosure of which would reveal a Cabinet deliberation or decision, unless the existence of the deliberation or decision has been officially ...