22Access to edited copies with exempt or irrelevant matter deleted

#### 22 Access to edited copies with exempt or irrelevant matter deleted Scope (1) This section applies if: (a) an agency or Minister decides: (i) to refuse to give access to an exempt document; or (ii) that to give access to a document would disclose information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request for access; and (b) it is possible for the agency or Minister to prepare a copy (an edited copy) of the document, modified by deletions, ensuring that: (i) access to the edited copy would be required to be given under section 11A (access to documents on request); and (ii) the edited copy would not disclose any information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the request; and (c) it is reasonably practicable for the agency or Minister to prepare the edited copy, having regard to: (i) the nature and extent of the modification; and (ii) the resources available to modify the document; and (d) it is not apparent (from the request or from consultation with the applicant) that the applicant would decline access to the edited copy. Access to edited copy (2) The agency or Minister must: (a) prepare the edited copy as mentioned in paragraph (1)(b); and (b) give the applicant access to the edited copy. Notice to applicant (3) The agency or Minister must give the applicant notice in writing: (a) that the edited copy has been prepared; and (b) of the grounds for the deletions; and (c) if any matter deleted is exempt matter—that the matter deleted is exempt matter because of a specified provision of this Act. (4) Section 26 (reasons for decision) does not apply to the decision to refuse access to the whole document unless the applicant requests the agency or Minister to give the applicant a notice in writing in accordance with that section. 18 Subsections 25(1) and (2) Omit “or 33A” (wherever occurring). 19 At the end of paragraph 26(1)(a) Add “and”. 20 After paragraph 26(1)(a) Insert: (aa) in the case of a decision to refuse to give access to a conditionally exempt document—include in those reasons the public interest factors taken into account in making the decision; and Note: Access must generally be given to a conditionally exempt document unless it would be contrary to the public interest (see section 11A). 21 Sections 26A, 27, 27A and 28 Repeal the sections, substitute: