Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:49:21 +0000
Subject: Freedom of Information request - External review of NDIA FOI 25/26-0004
From: David Wright <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
To: OAIC - FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>

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Dear Office of the Australian Information Commissioner,

I hereby request an external review from the Office of the Australian Commissioner (OAIC) of the NDIA's response to my FOI request 25/26-0004 – see https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/average_cost_to_the_ndia_in_resp_3#incoming-43215

The agency has refused my request on the basis that ‘Searches conducted of the NDIA’s systems, using all reasonable search terms that could return documents relevant to your request. In addition, I have consulted with relevant NDIA staff who could be expected to be able to identify documents within the scope of the request, including staff who are knowledgeable about how to conduct searches of the NDIA’s systems.’

I do not accept the reasons given, because I made almost exactly the same request for the same information for the previous financial year (1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024) – which has been provided to me here: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/external_review_of_ndia_foi_2425_2428#outgoing-28127

There is no valid reason why the information should have been provided to me for the 2024 financial year but refused for the 2024/2025 financial year.

For example, the agency’s decision letter states ‘There are no records kept for the in-house time spent and cost incurred for individual ART matters. Relevant documents cannot be created without being an unreasonable diversion of resources’. This reason was not provided as a reason to refuse my request for the information for the 2024 financial year. If it was not considered an ‘unreasonable diversion of resources’ for my previous request, it should not considered to be so for this one.

Yours faithfully,
David Wright

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