OFFICIAL

 

DFAT FOI Reference: LEX 12967

 

Dear Tyler

 

Thank you for your email dated 8 October 2025, seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 

 

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the
department). 

 

Scope of request

 

You have requested for access to:

 

My FOI request is about the recent Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty
signed on 6 October 2025.

 

Is it possible to

 

- inform whether there were any "full powers" from Australia or Papua New
Guinea for signature of this treaty?

 

- provide a copy of these "full powers" from either Australia or Papua New
Guinea (and if possible, both), if these "full powers" exist?

 

(Considering past requests to DFAT, I explain here that "full powers" is
standard terminology which refers to a document that a head of state, a
head of government, or the foreign minister, authorises someone else to
sign or conclude a treaty on the state's behalf. Whether or not the
document contains the term "full powers" in its heading for instance is
really for the state to decide. Also, this request is about the 'full
powers' for "signature" of the treaty by Australia and Papua New Guinea.
It seems that the treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of both
countries, so maybe no "full powers" needed to made, but just in case
there were "full powers", is it possible to provide copy of "full powers"
from both parties?)

 

If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large
for processing, the department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the
request.

 

Timeframe for receiving our decision

 

We received your request on 8 October 2025, and the 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.

 

A decision is currently due to you by: 7 November 2025.

 

Charges

 

Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests. If applicable, we will advise you of any relevant charges when
we are in a position to estimate the resources required to process your
request.  

  

Disclosure log

 

Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published on the
department’s disclosure log.  

 

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details

 

It is the department’s policy to withhold the personal information of
junior staff from ministerial offices and government officials not in the
Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent, including their email
addresses and contact numbers, together with all signatures, mobile phone
numbers, departmental inboxes and technical transmission details including
reference numbers. 

  

Duplicate documents and incomplete email chains

 

Your request will be processed on the basis that you did not intend to
capture duplicate documents or duplicate emails within email chains. 

 

If you require the excluded information or documents, please let us know
at [1][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise, we
will take it that you agree to the information and documents being
excluded from the scope of your request. 

 

Personal Information

 

If we need to consult with other people or organisations regarding your
FOI request, we may need to disclose your personal information (e.g. your
name). When we consult it may be apparent that you have made a request,
even if we do not disclose your identity. Please let us know if you have
any concerns in this regard. Further information on the way the department
handles personal information is accessible via our privacy policy. 

 

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by reply email. 

 

 

Kind Regards

 

DFAT FOI Team

_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[2]dfat.gov.au | [3]X | [4]Facebook | [5]Instagram  | [6]LinkedIn

 

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tyler <[FOI #13827 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 October 2025 5:26 PM
To: FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Information request - "Full powers" and
Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty signed on 6 October 2025

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.

 

Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

 

My FOI request is about the recent Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty
signed on 6 October 2025.

 

Is it possible to

 

- inform whether there were any "full powers" from Australia or Papua New
Guinea for signature of this treaty?

 

- provide a copy of these "full powers" from either Australia or Papua New
Guinea (and if possible, both), if these "full powers" exist?

 

(Considering past requests to DFAT, I explain here that "full powers" is
standard terminology which refers to a document that a head of state, a
head of government, or the foreign minister, authorises someone else to
sign or conclude a treaty on the state's behalf. Whether or not the
document contains the term "full powers" in its heading for instance is
really for the state to decide. Also, this request is about the 'full
powers' for "signature" of the treaty by Australia and Papua New Guinea.
It seems that the treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of both
countries, so maybe no "full powers" needed to made, but just in case
there were "full powers", is it possible to provide copy of "full powers"
from both parties?)

 

Thank yous!

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Tyler

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #13827 email]

 

Is [DFAT request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact us using
this form:

https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[DFAT request email]
2. https://www.dfat.gov.au/
https://www.dfat.gov.au/
3. https://x.com/dfat
https://x.com/DFAT
4. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
5. https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
6. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...

hide quoted sections

OFFICIAL

 

DFAT FOI Reference: LEX 12967

 

Dear Tyler

 

Thank you for your email dated 8 October 2025 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. 

  

The purpose of this email is to advise you that your request has been
transferred to the Department of Defence.

 

Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the department, with the agreement of
the other agency, may transfer the request to another agency if the
requested document is not in the possession of the department but is in
the possession of the other agency or if the subject matter of the
document is more closely connected with the functions of the other agency.

 

The department, with agreement, transferred your request as the subject
matter/function is more closely aligned with Defence.

 

Accordingly, on 16 October 2025, the department transferred your request
to Defence.

 

Timeframe

 

We received your request on 8 October 2025 and the 30-day statutory period
for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.

 

The transfer of your request does not affect the due date for completion
of your request. You should therefore expect a decision from Defence by: 7
November 2025.

 

However, the statutory period of 30 days may be extended if Defence needs
to consult third parties or for other reasons. Defence will advise you if
this happens. 

 

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by return e-mail at [1][DFAT request email] 

 

Kind Regards

 

DFAT FOI Team

_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[2]dfat.gov.au | [3]X | [4]Facebook | [5]Instagram  | [6]LinkedIn

 

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging

 

 

 

From: FOI
Sent: Wednesday, 15 October 2025 8:19 AM
To: Tyler <[FOI #13827 email]>
Subject: Your DFAT FOI Request - Acknowledgement - LEX 12967
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

 

OFFICIAL

 

DFAT FOI Reference: LEX 12967

 

Dear Tyler

 

Thank you for your email dated 8 October 2025, seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 

 

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the
department). 

 

Scope of request

 

You have requested for access to:

 

My FOI request is about the recent Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty
signed on 6 October 2025.

 

Is it possible to

 

- inform whether there were any "full powers" from Australia or Papua New
Guinea for signature of this treaty?

 

- provide a copy of these "full powers" from either Australia or Papua New
Guinea (and if possible, both), if these "full powers" exist?

 

(Considering past requests to DFAT, I explain here that "full powers" is
standard terminology which refers to a document that a head of state, a
head of government, or the foreign minister, authorises someone else to
sign or conclude a treaty on the state's behalf. Whether or not the
document contains the term "full powers" in its heading for instance is
really for the state to decide. Also, this request is about the 'full
powers' for "signature" of the treaty by Australia and Papua New Guinea.
It seems that the treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of both
countries, so maybe no "full powers" needed to made, but just in case
there were "full powers", is it possible to provide copy of "full powers"
from both parties?)

 

If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large
for processing, the department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the
request.

 

Timeframe for receiving our decision

 

We received your request on 8 October 2025, and the 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.

 

A decision is currently due to you by: 7 November 2025.

 

Charges

 

Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests. If applicable, we will advise you of any relevant charges when
we are in a position to estimate the resources required to process your
request.  

  

Disclosure log

 

Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published on the
department’s disclosure log.  

 

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details

 

It is the department’s policy to withhold the personal information of
junior staff from ministerial offices and government officials not in the
Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent, including their email
addresses and contact numbers, together with all signatures, mobile phone
numbers, departmental inboxes and technical transmission details including
reference numbers. 

  

Duplicate documents and incomplete email chains

 

Your request will be processed on the basis that you did not intend to
capture duplicate documents or duplicate emails within email chains. 

 

If you require the excluded information or documents, please let us know
at [7][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise, we
will take it that you agree to the information and documents being
excluded from the scope of your request. 

 

Personal Information

 

If we need to consult with other people or organisations regarding your
FOI request, we may need to disclose your personal information (e.g. your
name). When we consult it may be apparent that you have made a request,
even if we do not disclose your identity. Please let us know if you have
any concerns in this regard. Further information on the way the department
handles personal information is accessible via our privacy policy. 

 

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by reply email. 

 

 

Kind Regards

 

DFAT FOI Team

_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[8]dfat.gov.au | [9]X | [10]Facebook | [11]Instagram  | [12]LinkedIn

 

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tyler <[FOI #13827 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 October 2025 5:26 PM
To: FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Information request - "Full powers" and
Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty signed on 6 October 2025

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.

 

Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

 

My FOI request is about the recent Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty
signed on 6 October 2025.

 

Is it possible to

 

- inform whether there were any "full powers" from Australia or Papua New
Guinea for signature of this treaty?

 

- provide a copy of these "full powers" from either Australia or Papua New
Guinea (and if possible, both), if these "full powers" exist?

 

(Considering past requests to DFAT, I explain here that "full powers" is
standard terminology which refers to a document that a head of state, a
head of government, or the foreign minister, authorises someone else to
sign or conclude a treaty on the state's behalf. Whether or not the
document contains the term "full powers" in its heading for instance is
really for the state to decide. Also, this request is about the 'full
powers' for "signature" of the treaty by Australia and Papua New Guinea.
It seems that the treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of both
countries, so maybe no "full powers" needed to made, but just in case
there were "full powers", is it possible to provide copy of "full powers"
from both parties?)

 

Thank yous!

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Tyler

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #13827 email]

 

Is [DFAT request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact us using
this form:

https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[DFAT request email]
2. https://www.dfat.gov.au/
https://www.dfat.gov.au/
3. https://x.com/dfat
https://x.com/DFAT
4. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
5. https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
6. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
7. mailto:[DFAT request email]
8. https://www.dfat.gov.au/
https://www.dfat.gov.au/
9. https://x.com/dfat
https://x.com/DFAT
10. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
11. https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
12. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...

hide quoted sections

OFFICIAL

Dear Tyler,

 

Acknowledgement

I refer to your correspondence of 8 October 2025, seeking access to
documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). This email
is to advise you that your request has been received and allocated for
Case Management.

 

The scope of your request is:

 

My FOI request is about the recent Australia-PNG Mutual Defence Treaty
signed on 6 October 2025.

 

- inform whether there were any "full powers" from Australia or Papua New
Guinea for signature of this treaty?

 

- provide a copy of these "full powers" from either Australia or Papua New
Guinea (and if possible, both), if these "full powers" exist?

 

Disclaimer

Where staff details are captured in documents within the scope of your FOI
request, this information will be redacted; this includes private email
addresses, signatures, personnel (PMKeyS) numbers and mobile telephone
numbers, unless you specifically request such details. Defence excludes
duplicates of documents and any documents sent to or from you.
Furthermore, Defence only considers final versions of documents.

 

Charges

Defence may impose a charge for the work involved in providing access to
the documents in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Charges)
Regulations 2019. We will notify you if your request attracts a charge.
Please note that there is no charge for documents that contain the
personal information of the applicant.

 

Timeframe

The statutory timeframe to provide you with a decision on your request
ends on 7 November 2025. This period may be extended if we need to consult
with third parties, or for other reasons. We will advise you if this
happens.

 

Please note that where the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday, the timeframe will expire on the next working day. This is in
accordance with the FOI Guidelines issued by the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act.

 

Disclosure Log

Documents released under the FOI Act may be published on Defence’s
disclosure log, located on our website.

 

Contact Details

We will contact you via the email address you have provided. Please advise
if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

 

Should you have any questions relating to your request, please do not
hesitate to contact me via email: [1][email address].

 

Kind regards

 

Freedom of Information Team

Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[2]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

OFFICIAL

Dear Tyler,

 

Please find attached the Decision relating to Defence FOI 600/25/26. 

 

Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you are entitled to request a review of
this decision. Your review rights are attached.

 

Please contact this office should you require any further information.

 

Regards,

 

Freedom of Information Team

Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...