Decision and Reasons for Decision - Office of the Information ...

Office of the Information Commissioner (Qld) - 210906 - Page 2 of 22
Contents
Summary .............................................................................................................................3
Background..........................................................................................................................3
Reviewable decision............................................................................................................3
Evidence relied upon ...........................................................................................................3
Documents sought by the Applicant ....................................................................................4
The law ................................................................................................................................5
Documents located during external review 210590.............................................................5
Matter remaining in issue in this review...............................................................................7
Section 28A of the FOI Act............................................................................................................ 7
QH’s reasons ........................................................................................................................... 8
The applicant’s submissions .................................................................................................... 9
Application of section 28A(1) of the FOI Act.......................................................................... 10
Are there reasonable grounds to be satisfied that the requested documents do not exist?
.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Documents supplied to, or created by Dr Barrett ........................................................ 10
Electronic communications .......................................................................................... 11
Application of section 28A(2) of the FOI Act.......................................................................... 12
Documents concerning Dr Barrett’s appointment and remuneration .......................... 12
Unlocatable documents ............................................................................................... 13
Section 44(1) of the FOI Act........................................................................................................ 13
Findings of fact....................................................................................................................... 14
Public interest balancing test ................................................................................................. 15
Section 40(c) of the FOI Act........................................................................................................ 16
Could an adverse effect reasonably be expected to follow from disclosure?........................ 17
Findings of fact....................................................................................................................... 18
Public interest balancing test ................................................................................................. 19
Accountability of government............................................................................................ 19
Summary - public interest considerations.............................................................................. 20
DECISION ..............................................................................................................................20
Appendix............................................................................................................................21