Our reference: RQ14/02122

Your reference: FA 14/07/01381

Mr Steven Hocking

Department of Immigration and Border Protection

PO Box 25

BELCONNEN ACT 2616

 

Dear Mr Hocking

Extension of time request under s 15AB

Thank you for your correspondence of 23 September 2014, in which you requested an extension of time for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) to process Mr Daniel O’Connor’s request, received 30 July 2014, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the FOI Act).

You have sought an extension on the basis that the current processing period is insufficient to deal adequately with Mr O’Connor’s request, because it is voluminous or complex.

Decision

As a delegate of the Information Commissioner, I am authorised to make decisions on requests for extensions of time under s 15AB of the FOI Act.

I have decided to grant the DIBP’s extension of time under s 15AB (2) of the FOI Act to close of business 28 October 2014. In coming to this decision we have considered factors including your advice that:

·                Consultation with the Minister’s Office and the Secretary’s Office is required and has been difficult to arrange.

·                There are sensitivities with regards to the documents concerned which requires consultation with DIBP senior staff

By granting an extension of time it is anticipated that the DIBP will provide a well-reasoned and better managed decision.

A copy of this decision will be provided to Mr O’Connor.

Contact

If you have any questions about this email, please contact me on 02 9284 9731 or via email [email address]. In all correspondence please include reference number RQ14/02018.

Yours sincerely

 

Timothy Fleming| Investigations Officer

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Level 3, 175 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001 |www.oaic.gov.au

Phone:  +61 2 9284 9731

Fax: +61 2 9284 9666

Email: [email address]

 

Protecting information rights – advancing information policy