Comprensive review of May-July 2025 IT outages
Dear Australian National University,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request a copy of the "comprehensive review" into IT outages mentioned in the Wednesday 16 July edition of "On Campus" (https://www.anu.edu.au/files/2025-07/O-W...)
If not included in said review, I would also like any related materials or communications that mention the lessons learnt, also mentioned in the same "On Campus"
I agree to the removal of the names, addresses and phone numbers of any non management staff members.
Yours faithfully,
Jennifer Gong
Good morning,
On 20 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:
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request a copy of the
"comprehensive review" into IT outages mentioned in the Wednesday 16 July
edition of "On Campus"
([1]https://www.anu.edu.au/files/2025-07/O-W...)
If not included in said review, I would also like any related materials or
communications that mention the lessons learnt, also mentioned in the same
"On Campus"
I agree to the removal of the names, addresses and phone numbers of any
non management staff members.
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500209.
Processing Timeframe
The statutory time frame for processing your request is 30 calendar days
from the day after the date your request was received by the University.
You should therefore expect a decision from us by 19 September 2025.
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 [2][ANU request email].
The FOI Team’s workload is currently at very high levels due to 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: [3][ANU request email]
Web: [4]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. https://www.anu.edu.au/files/2025-07/O-W...
https://www.anu.edu.au/files/2025-07/O-W...
2. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
3. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
4. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Good afternoon,
I refer to your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the Act) received by the University on 20 August
2025.
Your request is receiving attention and a decision will be provided to you
as soon as possible..
Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing delays regarding your request
and we will be unable to provide you with a response by the current
decision date of 19 September 2025.
Delays are being experienced due to the FOI Team’s current workload being
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 further significant
delays.
Accordingly, the University is seeking an extension of time of 30 days in
accordance with section 15AA of the FOI Act.
If you agree to the extension, the University would be required to provide
you with a decision notice by no later than COB 19 October 2025.
Your earliest response would be appreciated as we are required to notify
the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) of any
extension agreed.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]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]
mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Good afternoon,
I refer to your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the Act) received by the University on 20 August
2025.
Your request is receiving attention and a decision will be provided to you
as soon as possible..
Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing delays regarding your request
and we will be unable to provide you with a response by the current
decision date of 19 September 2025.
Delays are being experienced due to the FOI Team’s current workload being
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.
There also likely to be further delays due to the FOI team dealing with a
number of complex FOI requests with minimal staff.
Accordingly, the University is seeking an extension of time of 30 days in
accordance with section 15AA of the FOI Act.
If you agree to the extension, the University would be required to provide
you with a decision notice by no later than COB 19 October 2025.
Your earliest response would be appreciated as we are required to notify
the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) of any
extension agreed.
Apologies for the late advice.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]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]
mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Dear Jennifer Gong,
Please find attached, correspondence regarding your request.
Kind regards
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]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]
mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
To whom it may concern,
In reference to the letter written by Philip Tweedle indicating an intent to refuse access I would like to note the following:
- The number of documents supposedly identified appears excessive
- A threat of a processing charge of "several thousand dollars" is against the FOI Charges Regulation if the request is answered after the due date (sections 7(2) and 7(3) of the FOI Charges Regulations 2019) - which it was.
- Mentioning no individual under the Contact officer section of page 3 of the letter is more than likely breach of s24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act (See 'AYY' v Department of Health (2025) )
I would also note that the OAIC FOI guidelines state that agencies should assist applicants yet little guidance has been given, or even the nature of the 2,382 pages- are they emails, reports, service desk tickets, etc. It is hard not to conclude based on this letter stating intent to refuse access, and others visible on right to know that have made the same breaches as above, the University is attempting to discourage applicants from exercising their rights under the FOI act.
However, assuming that isn't true I will revise the request to: the review itself.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Gong
Dear Jennifer Gong,
We refer to the below email.
The number of documents is correct. As you would understand the issue of IT outages was a significant issue for the University, and it is unsurprising that it generated a significant number of documents.
We note the reference to a "processing charge" was not intended to indicate that charges would be imposed but is part of our standard precedent and the information assists applicants in understanding the magnitude of the work required to process the request.
Further, while we are happy to assist applicants. Undertaking the exercise you suggest in specifying the documents we hold would take a significant amount of work, and effectively defeat the purpose of a practical refusal. If you had contacted the email address provided, one of our team would have willingly assisted you.
In any event, we note the clarification of the scope to " the review itself" - we will seek to ascertain whether such a document exists - or whether the reference in "On Campus" referred to the process and will let you know.
Regards,
ANU FOI Team
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Gong <[FOI #13524 email]>
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2025 8:58 PM
To: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI Request- 202500209- Notice of Practical Refusal
To whom it may concern,
In reference to the letter written by Philip Tweedle indicating an intent to refuse access I would like to note the following:
- The number of documents supposedly identified appears excessive
- A threat of a processing charge of "several thousand dollars" is against the FOI Charges Regulation if the request is answered after the due date (sections 7(2) and 7(3) of the FOI Charges Regulations 2019) - which it was.
- Mentioning no individual under the Contact officer section of page 3 of the letter is more than likely breach of s24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act (See 'AYY' v Department of Health (2025) )
I would also note that the OAIC FOI guidelines state that agencies should assist applicants yet little guidance has been given, or even the nature of the 2,382 pages- are they emails, reports, service desk tickets, etc. It is hard not to conclude based on this letter stating intent to refuse access, and others visible on right to know that have made the same breaches as above, the University is attempting to discourage applicants from exercising their rights under the FOI act.
However, assuming that isn't true I will revise the request to: the review itself.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Gong
-----Original Message-----
Dear Jennifer Gong,
Please find attached, correspondence regarding your request.
Kind regards
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Email: [1][ANU request email]
Web: [2]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]
mailto:[ANU request email]
2. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #13524 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------