Section 3A — Freedom of Information Act 1982: Objects—information or documents otherwise accessible

Scope (1) This section applies if a Minister, or an officer of an agency, has the power to publish, or give access to, information or a document (including an exempt document) apart from under this Act. Publication and access powers not limited (2) The Parliament does not intend, by this Act, to limit that power, or to prevent or discourage the exercise of that power: (a) in the case of the power to publish the information or document—despite any restriction on the publication of the information or document under this Act; and (b) in the case of the power to give access to the information or document—whether or not access to the information or document has been requested under section 15.