Ashurt Report
Dear Australian National University,
I understand the ANU conducted a review into the NCI (National Computing Infrastructure) culture and organisation in 2023. The report from HBA is available on Right To Know.
I understand a second review, dubbed the Ashurst Report, was conducted into the same issue, and the ANU received the report in July 2024.
However I have not been able to find a copy of this report. Could you please provide me a copy?
Could you also please provide any correspondence (emails, briefings, etc) regarding Dr Sean Smith's departure from the ANU in December 2024?
Yours faithfully,
Claire Fenwicke
Editor, Region Canberra
Good afternoon
On 18 August 2025, the Australian National University (the University)
received your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
The University has taken your request to be as follows:
‘I understand the ANU conducted a review into the NCI (National Computing
Infrastructure) culture and organisation in 2023. The report from HBA is
available on Right To Know.
I understand a second review, dubbed the Ashurst Report, was conducted
into the same issue, and the ANU received the report in July 2024.
However I have not been able to find a copy of this report. Could you
please provide me a copy?
Could you also please provide any correspondence (emails, briefings, etc)
regarding Dr Sean Smith's departure from the ANU in December 2024’
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500200.
Processing Timeframe
The statutory time frame for processing your request is 30 calendar days
from day after the date your request was received by the University. You
should therefore expect a decision from us by 17 September2025.
This period of 30 days may be extended if we need to consult third
parties, impose a charge or for other reasons. We will advise you in
writing if this happens.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if
you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact. If you have
any questions regarding your request, please feel free to contact the FOI
Team via the functional email [1][ANU request email].
The FOI Team’s workload is currently at very high levels due the
unprecedented volume of FOI requests.
We are using our best endeavors to process all requests expeditiously
however there may be some slippage due to the current workload. We will
keep in touch with you and advise if there are any significant delays,
and, will, if necessary, seek extensions as permitted by the Act.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [2][ANU request email]
Web: [3]https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider
Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[ANU request email]
2. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
3. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Dear Freedom of Information,
I just wanted to follow up on my request, as I understand it was due to be responded to by September 17.
Yours sincerely,
Claire Fenwicke
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your email.
Unfortunately, the University is currently experiencing delays in the processing of FOI requests due to unprecedented influx of requests being received.
The current decision date for your request expired on the 17 September 2025 and accordingly, your request is now considered to be in deemed refusal territory.
We are continuing to process your request and will provide you with a decision as soon as possible.
Kind regards
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [ANU request email]
Web: https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
-----Original Message-----
From: Claire Fenwicke <[FOI #13506 email]>
Sent: Friday, 19 September 2025 3:27 PM
To: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 202500200 - Acknowledgement
[You don't often get email from [FOI #13506 email]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear Freedom of Information,
I just wanted to follow up on my request, as I understand it was due to be responded to by September 17.
Yours sincerely,
Claire Fenwicke
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon
On 18 August 2025, the Australian National University (the University)
received your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
The University has taken your request to be as follows:
‘I understand the ANU conducted a review into the NCI (National Computing
Infrastructure) culture and organisation in 2023. The report from HBA is
available on Right To Know.
I understand a second review, dubbed the Ashurst Report, was conducted
into the same issue, and the ANU received the report in July 2024.
However I have not been able to find a copy of this report. Could you
please provide me a copy?
Could you also please provide any correspondence (emails, briefings, etc)
regarding Dr Sean Smith's departure from the ANU in December 2024’
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500200.
Processing Timeframe
The statutory time frame for processing your request is 30 calendar days
from day after the date your request was received by the University. You
should therefore expect a decision from us by 17 September2025.
This period of 30 days may be extended if we need to consult third
parties, impose a charge or for other reasons. We will advise you in
writing if this happens.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if
you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact. If you have
any questions regarding your request, please feel free to contact the FOI
Team via the functional email [1][ANU request email].
The FOI Team’s workload is currently at very high levels due the
unprecedented volume of FOI requests.
We are using our best endeavors to process all requests expeditiously
however there may be some slippage due to the current workload. We will
keep in touch with you and advise if there are any significant delays,
and, will, if necessary, seek extensions as permitted by the Act.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [2][ANU request email]
Web: [3]https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider
Code: 00120C | ABN: 52 234 063 906
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[ANU request email]
2. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
3. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
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Dear Freedom of Information,
I'm happy to extend the timeline of my request to 17 October (I have a few requests going, so I cannot recall if I had approved a request for extension).
Yours sincerely,
Claire Fenwicke