Our reference: RQ14/02987

Your reference: 1412F1039

Lindy Judge

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

Dear Ms Judge

Extension of time request under s 15AB

Thank you for your correspondence of 17 December 2014, in which you requested an extension of time for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to process Mr Jamie Bruce’s request, received 8 December 2014, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the FOI Act).

You have sought an extension, until 6 February 2015,  on the basis that the current processing period is insufficient to deal adequately with Mr Bruce’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 DFAT an extension of time under s 15AB (2) of the FOI Act to close of business 28 January 2015. In coming to this decision I have considered factors including your advice that:

·                Careful consideration of the exempt status of the documents will be required.

·                Processing the request will require the involvement of the Australian embassy in Tel Aviv.

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

A copy of this decision will be provided to Mr Bruce.

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 RQ14/02987.

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]

 

Important update: The Freedom of Information Amendment (New Arrangements) Bill 2014 which proposes to close the OAIC on 31 December 2014 was not passed by the Australian Parliament before the end of the 2014 sitting period. The OAIC will therefore remain operational until further notice. For further information see the OAIC website.

 

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