7When public interest certificate may be given

7 When public interest certificate may be given

(1) The Secretary may certify for the purposes of paragraph 208(1)(a) of the Act that a disclosure of information is necessary in the public interest if the Secretary is satisfied that:

the information cannot reasonably be obtained from a source other than the Department or Services Australia; and
the disclosure is covered by a section in this Part; and
if the information is not de‑identified information—the purpose of the relevant section in this Part could not be achieved by disclosing de‑identified information; and
the person to whom the information will be disclosed either:

1. has a genuine and legitimate interest in the information; or
2. is a Minister covered by subsection (2) of this section.

(2) This subsection covers the following Ministers:

1. the Prime Minister;

2. a Minister administering any part of:

3. the social security law; or

4. the family assistance law; or

5. the Human Services (Centrelink) Act 1997; or

6. the Human Services (Medicare) Act 1973.