OFFICIAL

Dear Hayley

 

Acknowledgement

I refer to your correspondence of 30 November 2025 seeking access to
documents held by the Department of Defence (Defence), under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

 

The scope of your request is:

 

I seek access via FOIA to the final policy, doctrine or guidelines related
to the introduction of the new ADF Command Commendation (also known as the
Wearable CO Commendation, Commanders Commendation, or any similar title
used within Defence).

 

Request copies of the following:

 

1. New Command Commendation Document(s) which outline creation, purpose,
governance, design, uniform guidance, criteria for award, or issuing
procedures for the new Command Commendation with Instructions issued to
Commands regarding eligibility, assessment, approval, recording in PMKeyS,
and rules for wearing this award. Including any document which sets out
where these awards sits relative to other commendation levels.

 

2. Retrospective consideration, with regards to any documents which
address whether retrospective awarding of the Command Commendation was
considered, supported, or rejected during policy development.

 

Disclaimer

Where staff details are captured in documents within the scope of your FOI
request, this information will be redacted; this includes private email
addresses, signatures, personnel (PMKeyS) numbers and mobile telephone
numbers, unless you specifically request such details. Defence excludes
duplicates of documents and any documents sent to or from you.
Furthermore, Defence only considers final versions of documents.

 

Charges

Defence may impose a charge for the work involved in providing access to
the documents in accordance with the Freedom of Information (Charges)
Regulations 2019. We will notify you if your request attracts a charge.
Please note that there is no charge for documents that contain the
personal information of the applicant.

 

Timeframe and Request for Extension

The statutory timeframe to provide you with a decision on your request
ends on 30 December 2025. This period may be extended if we need to
consult with third parties, or for other reasons. We will advise you if
this happens.

 

Please note that Defence is subject to a reduced work period during
December and January. We seek your agreement to a 30-day extension of time
under section 15AA of the FOI Act. If you agree to the extension, the new
statutory timeframe to provide you with a decision will end on 29 January
2025. 

 

Please note that where the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday, the timeframe will expire on the next working day. This is in
accordance with the FOI Guidelines issued by the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act.

 

Contact Details

We will contact you via the email address you have provided. Please advise
if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

 

Should you have any questions relating to your request, please do not
hesitate to contact via email: [1][email address].

 

Kind regards

FOI Case Manager
Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[2]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

OFFICIAL

Dear Hayley

 

I refer to FOI request 856/25/26 where you sought access to the following:

 

I seek access via FOIA to the final policy, doctrine or guidelines related
to the introduction of the new ADF Command Commendation (also known as the
Wearable CO Commendation, Commanders Commendation, or any similar title
used within Defence).

 

Request copies of the following:

 

1. New Command Commendation Document(s) which outline creation, purpose,
governance, design, uniform guidance, criteria for award, or issuing
procedures for the new Command Commendation with Instructions issued to
Commands regarding eligibility, assessment, approval, recording in PMKeyS,
and rules for wearing this award. Including any document which sets out
where these awards sits relative to other commendation levels.

 

2. Retrospective consideration, with regards to any documents which
address whether retrospective awarding of the Command Commendation was
considered, supported, or rejected during policy development.

 

The current statutory due date for you to receive a response is 30
December 2025. Please note that Defence is subject to a reduced work
period during December and January. 

 

Defence is continuing to process your request however due to ongoing
considerations of the material and limited resources, we are seeking your
agreement to a 30-day extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI Act.
The additional time will allow us to ensure we make a robust decision on
access. If you agree to the extension, the new statutory timeframe to
provide you with a decision will end on 29 January 2026.

 

It would be much appreciated if you could confirm your agreement to this
extension of time via e-mail by close of business 22 December 2025.

 

Should you have any questions relating to your request, please
contact: [1][email address].

 

Kind regards

 

Freedom of Information Team

Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[2]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

Our reference: RQ25/08749

Agency reference: FOI 856/25/26

Hayley

Sent by email: [FOI #14055 email]

FOI contact officer

Department of Defence

Sent by email: [1][email address]

Extension of time decision

Dear parties

Please find a decision granting the Department of Defence further time to
process Hayley’s FOI request attached.

Yours sincerely

[2][IMG]   Carl English (he/him)

Assistant Director, Freedom of information Regulatory Group

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Sydney | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

P +61 2 9942 4169 E [3][email address]

 

Please note: The OAIC has revised its IC review procedure directions from
1 July 2024. For more information, including new resources to assist
applicants and respondents, see our webpage: [4]Information Commissioner
reviews.

 
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across Australia
and their continuing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay
our respect to First Nations people, cultures and Elders past and  
present.

[5]Subscribe to Information Matters

 

 

 

Notice:

The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.

References

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2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
5. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...