MAT and Department of Families, Youth and Community Care

Application number:
1999 S0169
Decision date:
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2000

MAT and Department of Families, Youth and Community Care
 (1999 S0169, 16 February 2000) 

The applicant sought access to information held on files of the respondent concerning the reporting and subsequent investigation of child abuse allegations. 

The Information Commissioner found that some of the information was exempt from disclosure under s.42(l)(h) of the FOI Act.  The Information Commissioner found that some of the information recorded in the files concerned the personal affairs of persons other than the applicant and was therefore exempt under s.44(1) of the FOI Act.  Other information in issue was properly to be characterised as information concerning the shared personal affairs of the applicant and other members of his family. 

Applying the principles stated in B and Brisbane North Regional Health Authority (1994) 1 QAR 279 at pp.343-345, the Information Commissioner found that any information which was capable of being characterised as information concerning the applicant's personal affairs was inextricably interwoven with information concerning the personal affairs of other individuals, with the result that severance under s.32 was not practicable, and the relevant matter qualified for exemption under s.44(1).  In respect of the remainder of the matter in issue, the Information Commissioner found that it satisfied the requirements of s.46(1)(a) of the FOI Act and consequently was exempt from disclosure.