Compliments of FOI disclosure log
Posty made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Finance as part of a batch sent to 6 authorities
This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.
Dear [Authority name] FOI Team,
I’d like to start 2019 by thanking you all for your hard work and commitment to transparency over the years, and for your correct interpretation of section 11C of the FOI Act.
In particular, I appreciate the fact that in 2018 (and other years) for each FOI request you have made unredacted and/or redacted documents available online for download for the public from your website as per the standard set by the Office of the Information Commissioner FOI log.
It has been noticed that some federal agencies (other than yourselves) are choosing to put statements in their FOI log, by each item, the equivalent of “contact us for access to the document”. In some egregious cases they are doing this for all FOI items!
You are setting a great standard for FOI in this country, and this deserves recognition. I can’t afford any award but you have been named a “Leader of the Pack” in my article about the aforementioned phenomenon which will shortly be published.
I’d like the public to know whether this has been a thankless task or not.
I request, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, copies of the following documents:
All email (or the last 3 years, if that is too voluminous) sent to the Freedom of Information Team’s email address that feature compliments relating to this department's Freedom of Information Disclosure Log.
If there’s too many of them, and the redaction would require too much effort to do, a simple number of documents over the time period is fine (a year breakdown would be great but I don’t want to push it).
If none exist—that’s fine too. I’d like to know.
If you require any time extension, I grant an extra 30 days.
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Posty
Thank you for your email to the Freedom of Information Team at the
Department of Finance (Finance).
Please note that Finance has a shutdown period from 25 December 2018,
returning on 2 January 2019. During this time, the FOI Inbox will not be
monitored. Your correspondence will be considered on 2 January 2019 and
processed in accordance with the FOI Act.
Extension of time due to shutdown period
We are requesting an extension of two weeks (14 days), in accordance with
section 15AA of the FOI Act, to ensure we are able to process your request
within the statutory timeframe. Finance’s preference is to reach an
agreement with FOI applicants to this extension of time. If we do not
receive any objection from you, we will assume you agree to the extension
of time and will advise you of the revised due date accordingly.
We look forward to working with you in 2019.
Kind regards,
FOI Officer, Legal and Assurance Branch
Business Enabling Services
Department of Finance
T: 02 6215 1783 E: [Finance request email]
A: One Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
Thank you for your email, which has been forwarded to the Department’s FOI
Team for their consideration. A member of the FOI Team will respond to
your email in the next couple of days.
Kind regards
FOI Coordinator
UNCLASSIFIED
Good afternoon
Freedom of Information Request – FOI 18/141
Thank you for your email to the Department of Finance (Finance), dated 31 December 2018, requesting access to the following:
… copies of the following documents:
All email (or the last 3 years, if that is too voluminous) sent to the Freedom of Information Team’s email address that feature compliments relating to this department's Freedom of Information Disclosure Log.
If there’s too many of them, and the redaction would require too much effort to do, a simple number of documents over the time period is fine (a year breakdown would be great but I don’t want to push it).
Your request was received by Finance on 31 December 2018. The statutory period for processing your request commences from the day after Finance received your request. This matter is due on 30 January 2019.
The processing period may also be extended if we need to consult third parties, impose a charge or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Way forward
Finance has undertaken preliminary searches of its FOI inbox and it appears that Finance does not hold any documents within the scope of your request.
Having regard to the information above, Finance believes we have satisfied your request. Can you please confirm whether the information has satisfied your request and you are happy to treat it as withdrawn, or alternatively whether you seek a formal FOI decision reiterating the above? If Finance does not hear from you by COB Tuesday, 8 January 2019 indicating your preferred way forward, we will consider your request withdrawn.
We look forward to hearing from you. If you wish to discuss your request, please do not hesitate to contact us on 02 6215 1783 or at [Finance request email].
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Legal and Assurance Branch
Business Enabling Services
Department of Finance
T: 02 6215 1783 E: [Finance request email]
A: One Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
UNCLASSIFIED