Before Defence releases information it is assessed to determine if disclosure would pose a threat to the requestor, someone else, or the security of Defence.
Redactions are then made for privacy or security reasons.
When information is redacted from released documents, the reason why will be provided.
Privacy
Under the Privacy Act 1988, identifying information about third parties must be redacted from the documents before information release.
Security
Sometimes, sensitive security information is redacted from documents before release. This could include:
- operational or investigative tactics
- departmental processes
- information that might risk Australia’s security
- legal and commercial information.