From 1 July 2019 OVIC commenced publishing de-identified FOI review decisions made by the Information Commissioner and the Public Access Information Commissioner (the Commissioners) under section 49P of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic) (FOI Act) on both OVIC’s website as below and on the Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) website.
We publish a selection of all decisions made which show the breadth of reviews conducted by the Commissioners and provide insight into the Commissioner’s interpretation for the FOI Act. Please note, it is open to the relevant parties to appeal the decisions made by OVIC’s Commissioners and some of the decisions published may have been subsequently subject to review by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or other relevant jurisdictions.
-
‘CE3′ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 288 (30 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – alleged offence –
police investigation – evidence – personal affairs information of third parties – third party consent – unreasonable disclosureDecision information
Date of decision: 30 September 2020 Applicant: 'CE3' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: ‘CE3' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 288 (30 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – alleged offence – police investigation – evidence – personal affairs information of third parties – third party consent – unreasonable disclosure Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1) Download this file: ‘CE3 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 288 30 September 2020 - PDF (177 KB) -
‘CD9′ and Monash Health (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 285 (30 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – medical records – deliberative process – disclosure contrary to the public interest – personal affairs information – unreasonable disclosure
Decision information
Date of decision: 30 September 2020 Applicant: 'CD9' Agency: Monash Health Citation: ‘CD9' and Monash Health (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 285 (30 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – medical records – deliberative process – disclosure contrary to the public interest – personal affairs information – unreasonable disclosure Sections in the FOI Act: 30, 33(1) Download this file: ‘CD9 and Monash Health Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 285 30 September 2020 - PDF (397 KB) -
‘CE1′ and Mount Alexander Shire Council (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 286 (30 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – council documents – work permit – personal affairs information – disclosure not unreasonable
Decision information
Date of decision: 30 September 2020 Applicant: 'CE1' Agency: Mount Alexander Shire Council Citation: ‘CE1' and Mount Alexander Shire Council (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 286 (30 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – council documents – work permit – personal affairs information – disclosure not unreasonable Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1), 25 Download this file: ‘CE1 and Mount Alexander Shire Council Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 286 30 September 2020 - PDF (178 KB) -
‘CD8′ and Department of Transport (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 284 (29 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – CCTV footage – customer service centre – substantial and unreasonable diversion of agency’s resources – personal affairs information – work involved in editing footage
Decision information
Date of decision: 29 September 2020 Applicant: 'CD8' Agency: Citation: ‘CD8' and Department of Transport (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 284 (29 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – CCTV footage – customer service centre – substantial and unreasonable diversion of agency’s resources – personal affairs information – work involved in editing footage Sections in the FOI Act: 25A(1) Download this file: ‘CD8 and Department of Transport Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 284 29 September 2020 - PDF (218 KB) -
‘CD2′ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 277 (28 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police documents – body-worn camera footage – secrecy provision
Decision information
Date of decision: 28 September 2020 Applicant: 'CD2' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: ‘CD2' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 277 (28 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police documents – body-worn camera footage – secrecy provision Sections in the FOI Act: 38 Download this file: ‘CD2 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 277 28 September 2020 - PDF (190 KB) -
‘CD1′ and Ballarat Health Services (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 275 (25 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – medical records – information obtained in confidence – section 61B(3) –adequacy of search
Decision information
Date of decision: 25 September 2020 Applicant: 'CD1' Agency: Ballarat Health Services Citation: ‘CD1' and Ballarat Health Services (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 275 (25 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – medical records – information obtained in confidence – section 61B(3) –adequacy of search Sections in the FOI Act: 35(1)(b) Download this file: ‘CD1 and Ballarat Health Services Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 275 25 September 2020 - PDF (180 KB) -
‘CC8’ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 273 (24 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – historic law enforcement documents – police documents – court documents
Decision information
Date of decision: 24 September 2020 Applicant: 'CC8' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: 'CC8' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 273 (24 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – historic law enforcement documents – police documents – court documents Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1) Download this file: CC8 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 273 24 September 2020 - PDF (239 KB) -
‘CC6’ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 271 (23 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – police records – law enforcement documents – triple zero call – 000 – personal affairs information – internal working document
Decision information
Date of decision: 23 September 2020 Applicant: 'CC6' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: 'CC6' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 271 (23 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – police records – law enforcement documents – triple zero call – 000 – personal affairs information – internal working document Sections in the FOI Act: 30, 33(1) Download this file: CC6 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 271 23 September 2020 - PDF (200 KB) -
‘CC4’ and Environment Protection Authority (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 269 (22 Septmeber 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – personal affairs information – agency officer names – administrative nature of documents – age of documents – agency exercise of statutory functions – public interest in disclosure – disclosure not unreasonable
Decision information
Date of decision: 22 September 2020 Applicant: 'CC4' Agency: Environment Protection Authority Citation: 'CC4' and Environment Protection Authority (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 269 (22 Septmeber 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – personal affairs information – agency officer names – administrative nature of documents – age of documents – agency exercise of statutory functions – public interest in disclosure – disclosure not unreasonable Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1) Download this file: CC4 and Environment Protection Authority Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 269 22 Septmeber 2020 - PDF (257 KB) -
‘CC1’ and RSPCA (Victoria) (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 266 (18 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – complaint – alleged animal cruelty – telephone call – audio recording – complaint summary – personal affairs information – information provided in confidence – disclosure unreasonable – impair ability of agency to obtain similar information in the future
Decision information
Date of decision: 18 September 2020 Applicant: 'CC1' Agency: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA Victoria) Citation: 'CC1' and RSPCA (Victoria) (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 266 (18 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – complaint – alleged animal cruelty – telephone call – audio recording – complaint summary – personal affairs information – information provided in confidence – disclosure unreasonable – impair ability of agency to obtain similar information in the future Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1), 35(1)(b) Download this file: CC1 and RSPCA Victoria Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 266 18 September 2020 - PDF (196 KB) -
‘CB9’ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 265 (18 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – police investigation – investigation documents – date of birth – personal affairs information – disclosure unreasonable
Decision information
Date of decision: 18 September 2020 Applicant: 'CB9' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: 'CB9' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 265 (18 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – police investigation – investigation documents – date of birth – personal affairs information – disclosure unreasonable Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1) Download this file: CB9 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 265 18 September 2020 - PDF (240 KB) -
‘CB8′ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 264 (17 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – police records – law enforcement documents – Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP)
Decision information
Date of decision: 17 September 2020 Applicant: 'CB8' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: ‘CB8' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 264 (17 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – police records – law enforcement documents – Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) Sections in the FOI Act: 31(1)(d) Download this file: ‘CB8 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 264 17 September 2020 - PDF (172 KB) -
‘CB7’ and RSPCA (Victoria) (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 263 (17 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – personal affairs information – agency officer names – unreasonable disclosure – matters of a business, commercial or financial nature – would not expose undertaking unreasonably to disadvantage
Decision information
Date of decision: 17 September 2020 Applicant: 'CB7' Agency: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA Victoria) Citation: 'CB7' and RSPCA (Victoria) (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 263 (17 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – personal affairs information – agency officer names – unreasonable disclosure – matters of a business, commercial or financial nature – would not expose undertaking unreasonably to disadvantage Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1), 34(1)(b) Download this file: CB7 and RSPCA Victoria Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 263 17 September 2020 - PDF (482 KB) -
‘CB1’ and Department of Health and Human Services (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 257 (28 August 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – Child Protection documents – refusal to process an FOI request – prejudice proper administration of the law – personal affairs information
Decision information
Date of decision: 11 September 2020 Applicant: 'CB1' Agency: Citation: 'CB1' and Department of Health and Human Services (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 257 (28 August 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – Child Protection documents – refusal to process an FOI request – prejudice proper administration of the law – personal affairs information Sections in the FOI Act: 25A(5) Download this file: CB1 and Department of Health and Human Services Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 257 11 September 2020 - PDF (231 KB) -
‘CA5’ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 252 (7 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – CCTV footage – public transport – police records – evidence gathered during police investigation – practicable to edit document
Decision information
Date of decision: 7 September 2020 Applicant: 'CA5' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: 'CA5' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 252 (7 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – CCTV footage – public transport – police records – evidence gathered during police investigation – practicable to edit document Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1), 25 Download this file: CA5 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 252 7 September 2020 - PDF (176 KB) -
‘CA1′ and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 248 (4 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – photograph – alleged offences – police investigation – investigation documents – personal affairs information – disclosure unreasonable
Decision information
Date of decision: 4 September 2020 Applicant: 'CA1' Agency: Victoria Police Citation: ‘CA1' and Victoria Police (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 248 (4 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – law enforcement documents – police records – photograph – alleged offences – police investigation – investigation documents – personal affairs information – disclosure unreasonable Sections in the FOI Act: 33(1) Download this file: ‘CA1 and Victoria Police Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 248 4 September 2020 - PDF (184 KB) -
‘CA2’ and Department of Justice and Community Safety (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 249 (4 September 2020)
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – records of decision or deliberation of the Cabinet – communications related to the planning and drafting of legislation – created for the dominant purpose of obtaining and providing legal advice – legal professional privilege
Decision information
Date of decision: 4 September 2020 Applicant: 'CA2' Agency: Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) Citation: 'CA2' and Department of Justice and Community Safety (Freedom of Information) [2020] VICmr 249 (4 September 2020) Headnote: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – records of decision or deliberation of the Cabinet – communications related to the planning and drafting of legislation – created for the dominant purpose of obtaining and providing legal advice – legal professional privilege Sections in the FOI Act: 25A(5), 28(1)(d), 32 Download this file: CA2 and Department of Justice and Community Safety Freedom of Information 2020 VICmr 249 4 September 2020 - PDF (277 KB)