Hi Everyone,
Received communication today regarding my request under FOI.
Their Response:
Dear Sarah
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (the department) on 7 October 2021 including the requests sent directly to NOPTA (please be advised NOPTA is a division of the Department) and the Minister for Resources and Water for the following:
I respectfully request a copy of NOPTA’s recommendation to the Joint Authority in relation to PEP-11.
You have requested the same documents as another FOI request currently in progress.
As the department is already processing an similar request that includes all the documents you have requested access to, I invite you to withdraw your request and upon the other FOI request being completed, any documents released to the other applicant under the FOI Act, can be released to you under Administrative Access (outside of the FOI Act) at no charge.
Alternatively, please advise if you wish to proceed with your FOI request. Noting that if you proceed, the timeframe of your request would exceed the current request, which may be extended by the requirement to undertake consultation with affected third parties and if the department determines you are liable to pay a charge in relation to your request. You will be notified by the department if charges are payable or if third party consultation is required.
Please advise if you wish to withdraw or proceed with your FOI request.
If the department does not receive a response from you by midday 13 October 2021, the department will process your request under the FOI Act.
My Response:
Hi Sasha,
Before I withdraw my request under FOI, can you please advise when the pending FOI request was submitted, or alternatively, when you expect it to be finalised.
Thanks,
Their Response:
Dear Sarah
A decision is due on or before 8 November 2021. When the access decision is released it will be released to yourself at the same time if you chose to withdraw.
I have withdrawn my request with the intention of not impacting the existing request. When I receive a decision I will post it here. I assume in the unlikely event that the information requested is actually released that it will be done in a manner to ensure the market is updated at the same time.
