Consultantcy Advise
Dear Australian National University,
I request access to the following documents:
Any documents (including emails) produced by external consultancy firms that discuss ANU's appearance at the Senate hearing on August 12.
Please limit the search to any such documents that have been sent or received by: the Chancellor's Office, the Vice-Chancellor's Office, the COO's Office, or the CMCO's Office.
Yours faithfully,
Tom Waters
Good afternoon
On 14 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:
‘Any documents (including emails) produced by external consultancy firms
that discuss ANU's appearance at the Senate hearing on August 12.
Please limit the search to any such documents that have been sent or
received by: the Chancellor's Office, the Vice-Chancellor's Office, the
COO's Office, or the CMCO's Office’
Your request has been assigned the case number 202500194.
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 13 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 [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...
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 14 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 13 September 2025.
Delays are being experienced due to the absences of key FOI staff causing
delays in the processing of your FOI request.
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 further 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 13 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...
Dear Freedom of Information,
I agree to an extension to COB 13 October 2025.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Waters
Dear Tom Waters,
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...
Dear Freedom of Information,
I am still waiting for a response on FOI request 202500194. You appear to have sent me a decision on 202500193 in error.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Waters
Dear Tom Waters,
The University provided you with a Notice of Practical Refusal regarding 202500193, I have attached the Acknowledgment email for cross referencing to verify the scope.
The Practical Refusal notice of 2 October 2025,was not issued incorrectly and relates to your FOI 202500193, where you were asked to refine the scope of your request to a more manageable level. No final decision has been made on this request at this stage.
In relation to your FOI 202500194, this request is currently under 15AA extension to the 13 October 2025 as agreed by you on 13 September 2025. We are continuing to process and will be 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: Tom Waters <[FOI #13493 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 2 October 2025 9:25 PM
To: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI Request- 202500193- Notice of Practical Refusal
Dear Freedom of Information,
I am still waiting for a response on FOI request 202500194. You appear to have sent me a decision on 202500193 in error.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Waters
-----Original Message-----
Dear Tom Waters,
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...
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