"Retribution" at ANU
Dear Australian National University,
Under the Freedom of Information laws, I am requesting documents held by, and produced by, the Australian National University or ANU which relate to the Canberra Times article “first phase of new ANU gets underway” that was published 19 October 2025 with the Nieve Walton byline.
This requests covers, but is not limited to: email, notes, teams, signal or other digital messages sent to/from Rebekah Brown which use the word “retribution”. Date range 1 Sept 2025 to present and includes all mailboxes which she/they has access. I also request all notes, digital recordings or transcripts of the interview between Rebekah Brown and Nieve Walton; along with briefings or notes produced, including media responses or briefing notes, which refer to “retribution” to support the IVC with media requests and the interview; or holding lines post-interview.
Yours faithfully,
Josh Phillips
Dear Josh Phillips
We refer to the below email request.
The request seeks documents that "relate" to a Canberra times article, and is a word showing some degree of connection, so it is not clear what documents you are seeking.
As such we do not accept that the request is valid as it stands,
Please clarify the scope of your request so we properly conduct searches to meet the request.
Regards,
ANU FOI Team
Dear Josh Phillips
We refer to the below email, and note we have not heard from you.
Accordingly, we assume you no longer wish to proceed with the request and
will close the matter.
If that is not the case, please let us know and provide some clarify
around what documents you are seeking.
Regards
ANU FOI Team
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From: Freedom of Information <[ANU request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 1:09 PM
To: Josh Phillips <[FOI #13926 email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - "Retribution" at ANU
Dear Josh Phillips
We refer to the below email request.
The request seeks documents that "relate" to a Canberra times article, and
is a word showing some degree of connection, so it is not clear what
documents you are seeking.
As such we do not accept that the request is valid as it stands,
Please clarify the scope of your request so we properly conduct searches
to meet the request.
Regards,
ANU FOI Team
Dear Freedom of Information,
I would like to further clarify my request. Please search for documents held by the Office of the IVC/Provost, Government Relations or Comms and media function.
This requests covers, but is not limited to: email, notes, teams, calendar, signal, whatsapp or other digital messages which contain the word “retribution”. Date range 1 Sept 2025 to present (28 Dec 2025).
I also request all notes, digital recordings or transcripts of the interview between Rebekah Brown and Nieve Walton; along with briefings or notes produced or prepared, including media responses or briefing notes, holding lines or statements.
Yours sincerely,
Josh
Thank you for your email. Please note: the University is closed for the
holiday period and will re-open on Monday, 5 January 2026.
This shutdown period and staff absences may affect the processing of FOI
applications. Where the timelines are impacted, we will liaise with
applicants to discuss an s15AA extension of time agreement. Any
applications lodged online during the shutdown period will be responded to
when the University reopens.
Kind Regards,
ANU FOI Office
The Australian National University, ACT, 2600
CRICOS Provider #00120C
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