DEFENCE FOI 464/24/25
STATEMENT OF REASONS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
1.
I refer to the request by Fred (the applicant), dated and received on 12 December 2024
by the Department of Defence (Defence), for access to the following documents under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
a list of all Australian Army Corps Trophies and Awards, which have been given out
by the various Army Corps, with the associated requirements for achieving said awards
and or trophies, a list of the associated names and dates of when these awards were
presented to the individuals and background history, description, images and
importance of the award(s) given out by each Army Corps.
Background
2.
On 13 December 2024 and 2 January 2025, Defence sought the applicants agreement to
extend the period for dealing with the request from 11 January 2025 until
10 February 2025 in accordance with section 15AA [extension of time with agreement]
of the FOI Act. The applicant did not respond to either correspondence.
3.
On 10 January 2025, Defence applied to the Information Commissioner for an
extension of time to deal with the request. On 20 January 2025, the Information
Commissioner agreed to extend the period for Defence to deal with the request from
11 January 2025 until 8 February 2025 under section 15AB [extension of time for
complex or voluminous requests] of the FOI Act.
FOI decision maker
4.
I am the authorised officer pursuant to section 23 of the FOI Act to make a decision on
this FOI request.
Documents identified
5.
I identified no documents as falling within the scope of the request.
Decision
6.
I have decided to refuse the request under section 24A [requests may be refused if
documents cannot be found, do not exist or have not been received] of the FOI Act.
Material taken into account
7.
In making my decision, I have had regard to:
a. the terms of the request;
b. relevant provisions of the FOI Act;
c. the Guidelines published by the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act (the Guidelines); and
d. advice from officers within Defence including the Army History Unit.
