Complaints of 3 June to the FOI Commissioner about the Government’s Delay of Reviewing Its FOI Decision

Dear Prof McMillan,

I complain that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s delay of dealing with my application made on 9 March 2012 almost three months ago. I lodged the application for reviewing the decision made by Mr Russell Egan, Assistant Secretary of Government Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 16 February 2012. The decision's reference number is FOI/2012/006.

The timeframe for the review is 30 days according the government’s guideline and the FOI Act. On 12 April 2012, on (02) 6271 5849, Jasminder of the department acknowledged that the department failed to follow the FOI Act, but the only thing she could do was to inform the decision maker that I made the call. On 18 May I informed her that I would complain to you if no decision was made in two weeks. She replied that she would pass my message to the decision maker.

Please find the enclosed application for the review of the department's decision and the original decision made on 22 February 2012. I believe the department’s performance is unacceptable. Please help the officers do their job properly.

Enclosure:

My application for reviewing Mr Egan’s decision

Assistant Secretary Mr Russell Egan’s decision on refusing to release substantial Information