37Requirement to provide information, documents or things to ONI relating to international matters

37 Requirement to provide information, documents or things to ONI relating to international matters

(1) For the purpose of ONI performing its function under paragraph 7(1)(c), the Director‑General may make a written request that a Commonwealth authority provide information, documents or things in its possession that relate to: (a) international matters of political, strategic or economic significance to Australia; or (b) domestic aspects relating to such international matters. (2) Before making a written request of a Commonwealth authority under subsection (1), the Director‑General must: (a) consult with the Commonwealth authority; and (b) consider any concerns raised by the Commonwealth authority, including concerns about: (i) a contract, arrangement or understanding that would prohibit or limit the Commonwealth authority’s ability to provide information, documents or things that would need to be provided in response to a request; or (ii) the need to provide personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988) in response to a request. (3) A Commonwealth authority must provide any information, documents or things to ONI in response to a written request by the Director‑General under subsection (1), unless and to the extent that a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory prohibits the provision (however described) of the information, documents or things.

Note: For limits on the use that ONI may make of such information, documents or things: see section 40.