Mr. Luke Bukha:

We welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the joint committee. We acknowledge and appreciate the work of the Government and the Minister on the Freedom of Information Bill. We are happy that the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeal Tribunal will no longer be exempt from the provisions of freedom of information legislation. Like other agencies dealing with refugees and asylum seekers, we are seeking clarification on the exemptions and limitations applicable to these two boards. Of main concern to our members is how the Refugee Appeal Tribunal is assigned cases. We would welcome clarification on how cases are assigned, which information is important to us.