15 February 2019
“MI”, a pseudonym
Sent via email: mailto:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI1819/71.03
To whom this may concern:
FOI Application – Integrated Product Road Map
I am writing in relation to your request
made under the
Freedom of Information Act, 1982 (
the FOI Act), in which
you sought access to
nbn’s “Integrated Product Roadmap from January or February 2017”.
The Statement of Reasons (
Attached) outlines the specific terms of the FOI request, the decision-maker’s findings
and the access decision. For your reference, the FOI decision is subject to review under sections 53A and 54 of the
FOI Act. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s FOI Fact Sheet 12 – Your review rights may be
found at the following
link. If you have any questions, need to discuss your FOI application or require any other information relating to this
matter, please feel free to contact the writer on Tel. (02) 8918 8596 or v
ia xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx.xx. Yours faithfully,
David J Mesman
General Counsel
FOI, Privacy & Knowledge Management
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST –1718/71
ACCESS DECISION
STATEMENT OF REASONS
Application Chronology and Terms of Request
1. On 1 February 2019, “MI” (a pseudonym, and
the Applicant) made a request under the
Freedom of
Information Act, 1982 (
the FOI Act), seeking a copy of
nbn’s Integrated Product Roadmap from January or
February 2017 (
the Jan-Feb IPR). In particular, the Applicant was seeking information regarding the
introduction of after-hours installation, noting that the Jan-Feb IPR was not available on
nbn’s website.
2. On 6 February 2019,
nbn’s FOI Team
acknowledged receipt of the Applicant’s request as required by section
15(5) of the FOI Act, and undertook to locate the Jan-Feb IPR.
3. On 15 February 2019, I completed this FOI decision and subsequently forwarded it to the Applicant.
Access Decision
4. Following receipt of the Applicant’s request,
nbn staff undertook searches through the company’s electronic
and other files, and located the Jan-Feb IPR.
5. After a review of relevant sections of the FOI Act, the OAIC Guidelines and other sources, I have determined
to grant access in full to the Jan-Feb IPR under sections 11 and 11A of the FOI Act.
6. It is
nbn’s general policy to charge applicants for FOI processing time. In its Submission to the OAIC Charges
Review,
nbn outlined its support of fees and charges and their importance to the FOI scheme. However, I also
considered
nbn’s commitment to the objects of the FOI Act and, in particular, section 3(4) of the FOI Act,
which seeks to facilitate and promote public access to information, promptly and at the lowest reasonable
cost. I also took into account the relatively small search & retrieval time (roughly one hour) and the time
required to assess the relevant document and complete this decision (roughly three hours).
7. In light of the above points, I have determined to waive all processing fees in relation to this FOI application.
This is permitted by Regulation 3 of the
Freedom of Information (Charges) Regulations 1982, which provides
decision-makers with a general discretion to impose or not impose a charge, or impose a reduced charge for
the processing of an FOI request.
8. If you are dissatisfied with this decision, you have certain rights of review. Details regarding your rights of
review and appeal are outlined in the covering letter, provided with this Statement of Reasons.
