Conflict of Interest - Michael Lonergan
Dear Australian National University,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), I seek access to any and all documents held by the Australian National University that relate to:
-Conflict of Interest declarations, disclosures, or forms submitted by Chief Financial Officer, Michael Lonergan to the University, formally or informally.
-This request includes any documents that relate to actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Yours faithfully,
Adam H
Good afternoon,
On 2 October 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 seek access to any and all documents held by the Australian National
University that relate to:
· Conflict of Interest declarations, disclosures, or forms
submitted by Chief Financial Officer, Michael Lonergan to the University,
formally or informally.
· This request includes any documents that relate to actual,
potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.”
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500244.
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 3 November 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 [1][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: [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 Adam,
You will receive a similar email for three requests:
• 202500242
• 202500244 (this request)
• 202500245
I am writing regarding your Freedom of Information (FOI) request received
on 2 October 2025 regarding conflict of interest documents for Michael
Lonergan.
Technical deemed access refusal
Firstly, our apologies for not being able to make timeframe on this
request – which was Monday 3 November 2025.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the Act), if an agency
does not make a decision within the statutory timeframe, the Act deems the
agency to have refused access (section 15AC). Today is the last day of the
statutory timeframe, so a deemed refusal will technically occur given we
are unable to provide you with a decision today.
That being the case, please be assured that your request is still actively
being processed, is still in consultation, and a decision has not yet been
made (refusal or otherwise). While you have requested documents regarding
a senior position at the University, the request also revolves around an
identifiable individual, therefore completing the consultation process is
a must before we can provide you with a complete decision. We are still
currently consulting with any relevant third party/ies to ensure all
relevant considerations are addressed. You will therefore receive a formal
decision as soon as possible.
What a deemed access refusal means for you
Despite us indicating that we are still processing your request, because a
deemed refusal occurred when we did not provide a decision to you by your
due date, you have the right to seek review of the deemed decision (i.e.
the delay) by the Information Commissioner (IC review) under Part VII of
the FOI Act. Your review rights are outlined below this email’s signature.
Consultations
We should have advised you of a 30-day extension for consultations under
section 27A of the Act; however, as the original 30-day period has since
passed, that is no longer applicable and this request is considered late.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please contact
us by way of reply email.
Again, our apologies for the delay in decision and any inconvenience this
causes you. Please rest assured that we are processing your request.
Kind regards,
FOI Team
University Governance Office
The Australian National University
Your review rights
If you are dissatisfied with the technical deemed access refusal, you may
apply for internal review or Information Commissioner review of the
decision. We encourage you to seek internal review as a first step as it
may provide a more rapid resolution of your concerns.
Application for Internal Review of Decision
Section 54A of the Act, gives you the right to apply for an internal
review of any decision – including deemed access refusals.
It must be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of the decision; no
particular form is required but it is desirable to set out in the
application the grounds on which you consider the decision should be
reviewed.
The application should be addressed to Freedom of Information at
[1][ANU request email].
Application for Information Commissioner Review of decision
Under section 54L of the FOI Act, you may apply to the Australian
Information Commissioner to review any decision – including deemed access
refusals. An application must be made in writing within 60 days of the
date of this email, and be lodged in one of the following ways:
Form: either online form or downloadable form available at
[2]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
Email: [3][email address]
Post: Director of FOI Dispute Resolution, GPO Box 5288, Sydney NSW
2001
More information is available on the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner website.
[4]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
From: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 8 October 2025 5:31 PM
To: '[FOI #13767 email]'
<[FOI #13767 email]>
Cc: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Subject: FOI 202500244 - Acknowledgement
Good afternoon,
On 2 October 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 seek access to any and all documents held by the Australian National
University that relate to:
· Conflict of Interest declarations, disclosures, or forms submitted
by Chief Financial Officer, Michael Lonergan to the University, formally
or informally.
· This request includes any documents that relate to actual,
potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.”
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500244.
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 3 November 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 [5][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: [6][ANU request email]
Web: [7]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. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
5. mailto:[ANU request email]
6. mailto:[ANU request email]
mailto:[ANU request email]
7. https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
https://www.anu.edu.au/freedom-of-inform...
Dear Australian National University,
I am writing to request an internal review of Australian National University's handling of my FOI request 'Conflict of Interest - Michael Lonergan'.
Under section 15AC of the FOI Act, I understand that the failure to meet the statutory deadline results in a deemed refusal. However, I believe the volume and scope of the requested documents should not have caused such a delay. I request a review of the reasons for this delay, particularly in light of the request’s nature and the time that has passed.
Yours faithfully,
Adam H