McCaffrey and James Cook University

Application number:
1999 S0106 & Ors
Decision date:
Tuesday, Nov 20, 2001

McCaffrey and James Cook University
(1999 S0106, 20 November 2001) 

McCaffrey and James Cook University
(1999 S0177, 20 November 2001) 

Review 1999 S0106 dealt with audits of the School of Law at the University arising from allegations of improper use of University resources. 

Following disclosure by the University of the bulk of the information concerning the audits, the Assistant Commissioner found that a small amount of matter in issue (which comprised tentative or provisional opinions of the internal auditor) qualified for exemption under s.41(1) of the FOI Act, but that matter which merely recorded the views of the head of school on expenditure did not qualify for exemption. 

In review 1999 S0177, the Assistant Commissioner applied principles stated in Pemberton and The University of Queensland (1994) 2 QAR 293 at paragraph 152 in finding that information concerning performance assessments of a lecturer qualified for exemption under s.41(1) of the FOI Act.