Our reference: RQ15/00227

Your reference: 201415/11

The FOI Contact Officer

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Extension of time request under s 15AB

Thank you for your correspondence of 1 April 2015, in which you requested an extension of time for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to process Mr Ken McLeod’s request, received 14 January 2015, 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 McLeod’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 ABS an extension of time under s 15AB (2) of the FOI Act to close of business 4 May 2015. In coming to this decision I have considered factors including your advice that:

·                Search and retrieval has been time consuming as it required the involvement of 6 different subject matter areas within the ABS

·                Documents located in search as potentially relevant include over 300 relevant pages.

·                Careful consideration of the exempt status of the documents is required

I am satisfied with the ABS’ proposal to manage this request.

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

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

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 RQ15/00227.

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.

 

Protecting information rights – advancing information policy