Our reference: RQ12/02365

Your reference: 12/16692

 

Mr John Scott

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Executive officer

Freedom of Information & Privacy Law Section, Domestic Legal Branch

RG Casey Building

John McEwen Crescent

CANBERRA ACT 2600

 

 

Dear Mr Scott

Extension of time request under s15AB

Thank you for your correspondence of 21 December 2012, in which you have requested an extension of time for the Department of Foreign Affairs And Trade to process Mr Peter Timmins’ request of 19 November 2012 under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the Act).

You advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have received an agreement under s15AA of the Act for an extension of time from the applicant to 26 December 2012 and that this period is not sufficient to process this request.

You have sought an extension of time to 16 January 2013 on the basis that the current processing period is insufficient to deal adequately with Mr Timmins’s request, because it is complex or voluminous. This is an extension request for 21 days.

Decision

We have decided to grant you an extension of time of 21 days under s15AB(2) of the Act to 16 January 2013. In coming to this decision we have considered the following factors:

• The request involves 3 branches within Canberra.

• The request involves searches with the DFAT post in the US.

• Consultation with AusAID is currently underway.

• There is no option for staged release.

• The impact of the Christmas/New Year closedown.

• The applicant has been notified of this s15AB application.

We are satisfied with your proposal for managing this request.

Review rights

If you are unhappy with the way we have handled this matter, you may complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. This service is free, and you can contact the office on 1300 362 072 or visit www.ombudsman.gov.au.

If you have any questions about this email, please contact me on 6239 9121 or via email at [email address]. In all correspondence please include reference number RQ12/02365.

Yours sincerely

 

Elizabeth Zatschler  | Assistant Merit Review and Investigations Officer

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

4 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600

GPO Box 2999 CANBERRA ACT 2601 |www.oaic.gov.au

Phone:  +61 2 6239 9121 

Fax: +61 2 6239 9187

Email: [email address]

 

Protecting information rights – advancing information policy

 

 

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