Reference: BI302329 
FOI 423/17/18 STATEMENT OF REASONS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF 
INFORMATION ACT 
1. 
I refer to the application by Ms Verity Pane under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 
(FOI Act), for access to: 
“The current list of Authorised Decision Makers (ADMs) held by the FOI Directorate and the 
contact details of the ADMs as recorded in the FOI database.” 
FOI decision maker 
2. 
I am the authorised officer pursuant to section 23 of the FOI Act to make a decision on 
this FOI request. 
Documents identified 
3. 
I identified two documents as matching the description of the request. As noted in the 
applicant’s original correspondence, the names and phone numbers are outside the scope of 
the request and not required. As such, I have not considered this information. Furthermore, I 
note the applicant sought the locations of the decision makers. As such, I have considered this 
information as part of the request.  
Decision 
4. 
I have decided to: 
a.  Partially release two documents in accordance with section 22 [access to edited 
copies with exempt or irrelevant matter deleted] of the FOI Act, on the grounds 
that the deleted material is considered exempt under section 7 (2A)(b) 
[Exemption of certain persons and bodies] of the FOI Act; and 
b.  remove irrelevant material in accordance with section 22(1)(b)(ii) of the FOI 
Act.  
Material taken into account 
5. 
In making my decision, I had regard to: 
a.  the terms of the request; 
b.  the content of the identified documents in issue; 
c.  relevant provisions in the FOI Act; and 
d.  the Guidelines published by the Office of the Australian Information 
Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act (the Guidelines). 
 
Reasons for decision  
Sections 7 (2A) - Exempt Agency 
6. 
Upon examination of the documents, I identified information which was received from 
an intelligence agency. 

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7. 
Section 7(2A) of the FOI Act (supplemented by Schedule 2, Part II) lists agencies that 
are exempt from the operation of the Act in relation to documents that originated with or 
received from those agencies. The exemption extends to a part of a document that contains an 
extract from or a summary of an intelligence agency document, or a defence intelligence 
document. 
8. 
I am satisfied that the material exempted under section 7(2A) of the FOI Act has been 
received from listed agencies. 
Clarification/Context Statement  
9. 
Please be advised that Defence’s FOI decision makers are usually EL1/EL2 or military 
equivalents. While the documents do not state the level of the decision maker they do provide 
their rank and appointment. Directors are generally at the EL2 level and Deputy or Assistant 
Director’ are generally at the EL1 level.  
 melissa.davidson Digitally signed by melissa.davidson 
Date: 2018.05.24 15:47:22 +10'00'
 
Melissa Davidson 
Accredited Decision Maker 
Associate Secretary Group   

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