CSIRO
csiro.au
xxx@xxxxx.xx
ABN 41 687 119 230
28 June 2022
Our ref: FOI
Mr Mitchel Bradley
Via email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Bradley
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – DECISION FOI2022/27
I refer to your request
of 29 May 2022 under which you sought access under the
Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
“
the document(s) identified as: DR 07920, On-site domestic wastewater management.”
I am an authorised decision maker under section 23 of the FOI Act. This letter sets out my decision
and reasons for the decision in relation to your request.
Decision
Despite an extensive search, CSIRO has been unable to identify the document that you have
requested. I must therefore refuse access, pursuant to section 24A of the FOI Act on the basis that
the document sought cannot be found.
Searches conducted
Searches were conducted by relevant CSIRO line area staff as well as Records and Library staff at
CSIRO. We also contacted Standards Australia to enquire about the document. They advised that
draft documents like the one you requested, remain publicly available after they are produced for
public comment for an approximate 8-week period. The draft document is then removed from
public view and reviewed by the relevant committee so it can be finalised and published as the
relevant standard. I confirm the relevant current standard document linked to the draft document
requested, is available for a fee via the Standards Australia website.
I note your advice that CSIRO was represented on the committee that prepared the draft document
that you have requested. CSIRO has been unable to identify any such document in its records.
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
Rights of Review
In accordance with section 26(1)(c) of the FOI Act, a statement setting out your rights of review
under the Act is at
Attachment A.
Yours sincerely,
Annabel Kent
Legal Counsel
CSIRO
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
Attachment A
Review rights
You are entitled to seek review of this decision.
Internal Review
Firstly, under section 54 of the FOI Act, you may apply for an internal review of the decision. Your
application must be made by whichever date is the later between:
30 days of you receiving this notice; or 15 days of you receiving the documents to which you have
been granted access.
An internal review will be conducted by a different officer from the original decision-maker. No
particular form is required to apply for review although it will assist your case to set out in the
application the grounds on which you believe that the original decision should be overturned. An
application for a review of the decision should be addressed to:
FOI Coordinator,
xxx@xxxxx.xx
If you choose to seek an internal review, you wil subsequently have a right to apply to the
Australian Information Commissioner for a review of the internal review decision.
External review by the Australian Information Commissioner
Alternatively, under 54L of the FOI Act, you may seek review of this decision by the Australian
Information Commissioner without first going to internal review. Your application must be made
within 60 days of you receiving this notice.
The Information Commissioner is an independent office holder who may review decisions of
agencies and Ministers under the FOI Act. More information is available on the Information
Commissioner's website
www.oaic.gov.au.
You can contact the Information Commissioner to request a review of a decision online or by
writing to the Information Commissioner at:
GPO Box 2999
Canberra ACT 2601
Complaints to Ombudsman or Information Commissioner
You may complain to either the Commonwealth Ombudsman or the Information Commissioner
about action taken by CSIRO in relation to the application. The Ombudsman will consult with the
Information Commissioner before investigating a complaint about the handling of an FOI request.
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
Your enquiries to the Ombudsman can be directed to:
Phone 1300 362 072 (local call charge)
E
mail xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Your enquiries to the Information Commissioner can be directed to:
Phone 1300 363 992 (local call charge)
E
mail xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
There is no particular form required to make a complaint to the Ombudsman or the Information
Commissioner. The request should be in writing and should set out the grounds on which it is
considered that the action taken in relation to the request should be investigated and identify
CSIRO as the relevant agency.
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
