This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'OAIC findings against PM&C'.

DOCUMENT 19
FOIREQ21/00277  080
Elena Elagina
From:
Media OAIC
Sent:
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 9:41 AM
To:
Leadership; Luke Tilbrook; Lisa Archbold; Sam Cheang; Jasmin Clarke; Trish Quan; David 
Moore; Elizabeth King; Wendy Tian; Kristy Snodgrass; Ji Jang; Soulla Alexandrou; Iris 
Vayzer; Adriana Gonzalez; Jake Barry; Lauren Stinson; Naomi Lampe; Emily McPhee; 
Emily Elliott; Margaret Sui; Timothy Tanyous; Joanne Murray; Summen Sarwar; Strat 
Comms
Cc:
Media OAIC
Subject:
Articles of note - Wednesday 17 November 2021 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Attachments:
Media clips - 17 November 2021.docx
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Completed
Security Classification:
OFFICIAL
Good morning, 
Articles of note below. 
We received a media enquiry from The Mandarin this morning seeking to confirm some of the details in the first 
Guardian article – we are working on our response with the Acting FOI Commissioner and FOI Regulatory Group 
(deadline 12pm). 
FOI 
Guardian Australia reported the prime minister’s department breached freedom of information law by dragging out a 
request for internal documents about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, prompting the regulator to warn it to 
urgently fix its ‘compliance with the FOI act’. Guardian Australia says it’s seen the OAIC’s yet-to-be-released 
investigation report and asked PM&C whether the recommendations had been implemented. A PM&C spokesperson 
said: ‘These matters are the subject of a complaint made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, to 
which the department has responded. Until the acting freedom of information commissioner publishes information 
about the complaint, it is not appropriate for the department to comment further.’ 
The article’s author Christopher Knaus tweeted: 
1


FOIREQ21/00277  081
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
2

FOIREQ21/00277  082
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
    
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
3

FOIREQ21/00277  083
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
4

DOCUMENT 19.1
FOIREQ21/00277  084
s 22(1)(a)(ii)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FOIREQ21/00277  085
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 









FOIREQ21/00277  090
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FOIREQ21/00277  091
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

FOIREQ21/00277  092
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






DOCUMENT 20
FOIREQ21/00277  093
Elena Elagina
From:
Rocelle Ago
Sent:
Wednesday, 17 November 2021 11:02 AM
To:
Elizabeth Hampton; Irene Nicolaou
Cc:
Andrew Stokes
Subject:
RE: Guardian Article - related to CP21/01673 and MR21/00529 - s 47F
 
related FOI request - PMC [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Good morning 
Further to our discussion, I’ve advised Petra Gartmann at PMC that as per our routine process, a summary of the 
investigation will be published on our website along with other investigations. 
Petra will provide confirmation by tomorrow whether a further response to the recommendations will be provided in 
addition to the response provided. @Irene Nicolaou I will contact you to discuss. 
Kind regards 
Rocelle 
From: Rocelle Ago  
Sent: Wednesday, 17 November 2021 8:50 AM 
To: Elizabeth Hampton <xxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Irene Nicolaou <xxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Zoe Allebone 
<xxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Emma Liddle <xxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Cc: Sandra Wavamunno <xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Subject: FW: Guardian Article - related to CP21/01673 and MR21/00529 - s 47F
 related FOI request - PMC 
[SEC=OFFICIAL] 
Good morning @Irene Nicolaou Thanks for your email. 
Commissioner @Elizabeth Hampton please see Irene’s email below regarding the Guardian article. As Irene has flagged, 
the complaint has been finalised and we are awaiting acquittal of the recommendations. The IC review is ongoing – it is 
proceeding to finalisation under s 54W(b). 
@Zoe Allebone for your information, in relation to media enquiries. Please liaise with @Irene Nicolaou if we receive any 
requests in relation to the complaint. 
@Emma Liddle for your information, for context should we receive FOI requests relating to the complaint/IC review.  
Kind regards 
Rocel e Ago  |  Assistant Commissioner 
Freedom of information 
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner 
GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001  |  oaic.gov.au  
+61 2 9284 9621 | s 47E(d)
|  xxxxxxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

|

Subscribe to Information Matters
1


FOIREQ21/00277  094
From: Irene Nicolaou <xxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>  
Sent: Wednesday, 17 November 2021 8:23 AM 
To: Rocelle Ago <xxxxxxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Subject: Guardian Article - related to CP21/01673 and MR21/00529 - s 47F
 related FOI request - PMC 
[SEC=OFFICIAL] 
Dear Assistant Commissioner 
Please see quote from the following Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
news/2021/nov/17/prime-ministers-department-breached-foi-laws-over-release-of-brittany-higgins-documents 
The OAIC’s yet-to-be-released investigation report, seen by Guardian Australia, found the department had 
breached FOI law. 
In explaining its actions, the department told the regulator it had been delayed by the complex and sensitive 
nature of the request, but also by an apparent requirement that “all PM&C FOI decisions are to be noted by 
relevant senior executives and the prime minister’s office” 
I understand that this matter relates to CP21/01673 and MR21/00529. 
The s 86 Notice on completion was provided to the Department on 6 October 2021. The Acting Freedom of Information 
Commissioner made the following recommendations: 
1. The Department appoint an Information Champion[1] by 5 November 2021. The Information Champion
may be supported by an information governance board to provide leadership, oversight and
accountability necessary to promote and operationalise the Department’s compliance with the FOI
Act.
2. The Department provide training to FOI Section staff and relevant Senior Executives by 5 January 2022
about the obligations under the FOI Act to comply with statutory processing periods.
The Department provided comments on 27 October 2021 (Attached). 
The complainant was provided with a copy of the s 86 Notice on 5 November 2021. In response to the s86 Notice the 
complainant stated: 
Many thanks for this Ms Nicolau - you're doing God's work. 
This matter is now the subject of a Recommendation case: REC21/00009. 
For your information. 
Kind regards 
 Irene Nicolaou  |  Director 
Investigations and Compliance 
Freedom of information Regulatory Group 
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner 
GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001  |  oaic.gov.au 
2





FOIREQ21/00277  095
+61 2 9284 9605  | s 47E(d)
xxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
|
|

Subscribe to OAICnet newsletter
[1] This recommendation is consistent with recommendations made by the Information Commissioner in investigations into other agencies’
compliance with statutory processing timeframes. In those investigations, the Information Commissioner recommended the appointment
of an ‘Information Champion’ to promote and operationalise compliance with the FOI Act, the preparation and implementation of an 
operational manual for processing FOI requests and the provision of FOI training to staff.
3




FOIREQ21/00277  097
From: Andrew Stokes <xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>  
Sent: Wednesday, 17 November 2021 9:52 AM 
To: Commissioner <xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Angelene Falk <xxxxxxxx.xxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Cc: Joanne Murray <xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Subject: Media query due noon - Mandarin on [SEC=OFFICIAL] 
Good morning Commissioner, 
Just attentioning you to this.  
We received a media enquiry from The Mandarin this morning seeking to confirm some of the details in the first 
Guardian article – we are working on our response with the Acting FOI Commissioner and FOI Regulatory Group 
(deadline 12pm). 
We are considering publishing the document later in the day today. Our noon response to the Mandarin could be of a 
holding variety depending on how things progress.  
FOI 
Guardian Australia reported the prime minister’s department breached freedom of information law by dragging out a 
request for internal documents about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, prompting the regulator to warn it to 
urgently fix its ‘compliance with the FOI act’. Guardian Australia says it’s seen the OAIC’s yet-to-be-released 
investigation report and asked PM&C whether the recommendations had been implemented. A PM&C spokesperson 
said: ‘These matters are the subject of a complaint made to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, to 
which the department has responded. Until the acting freedom of information commissioner publishes information 
about the complaint, it is not appropriate for the department to comment further.’ 
 Andrew Stokes  |  Assistant Director 
Strategic Communications 
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner 
GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001  |  oaic.gov.au 
s 47E(d)
 |  xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
2






FOIREQ21/00277  099
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001 | oaic.gov.au
+61 2 9284 9721 | xxxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
|
|
|
Subscribe to Information Matters











FOIREQ21/00277  105
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 

FOIREQ21/00277  106
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)







FOIREQ21/00277  110
On 11 December 2018, the OAIC acknowledged receipt of the submissions:
Thank you for your email providing the Department’s submissions and 3 attachments.
I note that the Department has requested that the submissions be treated as confidential.
I look forward to receiving the remaining material and please contact me if you have any
queries.

On 12 February 2019, PMC provided the final response to the s 75 Notice of 9 November 2018
(Attached).
On 22 November 2019, a s 86 Notice on completion was provided to PMC.
On 6 December 2019, PMC provided comments in response to the s 86 Notice (Attached).
PMC in their response have noted that material referred to in the s 86 Notice was provided to
the OAIC in confidence. The material that PMC refer to relates to statistical data and related
performance submissions. PMC note:
Lastly, several references in Attachment A to the notice on completion have been
extracted from confidential submissions made by the Department to your office. While
the Department does not take issue with these particular extracts being made public, the
Department would ask that we be consulted in advance if any further material provided
as part of the Department' s confidential submissions is intended for public release.

On 12 December 2019, Rocelle, Shelley (Case officer) and myself held a teleconference with Ms
Celeste Moran (Assistant Secretary – Legal Policy Branch) and Ms Emily Arnberg (Director FOI).
PMC (as acknowledged in the response) advise that they have no concerns regarding the
submissions referred to in the s 86 Notice being provided to the complainant, however has
requested that if any further information is provided that they be consulted first.
The OAIC advised that it is unlikely that further information will be added to the s 86 Notice and
agreed to contact PMC if this was to occur.
PMC was happy with this approach and were satisfied with our explanation.
Response to outcome of investigation and recommendations
PMC have welcomed and accepted the five recommendations made and will provide a status
report to the OAIC by 24 February 2020:
I welcome and accept the five recommendations you have made pursuant to section 88
of the FOI Act, as outlined in your notice on completion. The Department will provide a
status report to your office on progress by 24 February 2020.
I appreciate your acknowledgment of the investments and steps the Department has
taken, and continues to take, to improve FOI case management capability, processing
times and FOI Act statutory awareness at all levels within the Department. Like many
agencies across the Commonwealth, the Department is experiencing a noticeable
increase in FOI requests - the number of valid FOI requests received this financial year has
already exceeded the 2018-2019 financial year total. However, with the measures we
have implemented we are already observing positive results.

Next steps
1. PMC is due to provide a substantive response to the recommendations by 24 February
2020. A recommendation case will be generated to track PMC’s implementation of the
recommendations.
2. Provision of notice and comments to complainant: The s 86 notice provided that
I do not consider that this Notice contains matters of the kind mentioned in s 89C(2) of
the FOI Act and I will therefore provide 
s 47F
 with a copy of this Notice pursuant to s
86(4) of the FOI Act on or after 6 December 2019. I also propose to provide any
comments made by the Department.
If I do not receive any comment from the Department by 6 December 2019 I will proceed




Document Outline