Larsen v Department of Planning, Industry and Environment [2024] NSWCATAD 161

Larsen v Department of Planning, Industry and Environment [2024] NSWCATAD 161

The Tribunal found that the Respondent did not discharge its onus to prove, on the balance of probabilities, that reasonable searches for the information requested were undertaken, due to restrictive search parameters, uncertainty about the extent of databases searched, and incomplete explanations as to the absence...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
First Applicant: Floyd Larsen; Second Applicant: Derek Larsen; Respondent: Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
13 June 2024
Procedural Posture
Administrative Review / Tribunal Hearing and Decision
Outcome
The decision of the Respondent is set aside and remitted for reconsideration in accordance with the Tribunal's recommendations.
Legal Topics
Government Information (public Access), Reasonableness of Searches, Administrative Review, Electronic Database Searches
Administrative Law Access to Government Information Government Information (public Access) Reasonableness of Searches Administrative Review Electronic Database Searches

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 10 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Floyd Larsen

First Applicant

Derek Larsen

Second Applicant

Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Administrative Review / Tribunal Hearing and Decision

  1. 1 Whether reasonable searches were undertaken by the Respondent to locate the requested information
  2. 2 Whether the Respondent proved that information sought by the Applicants was not held

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal found that the Respondent did not discharge its onus to prove, on the balance of probabilities, that reasonable searches for the information requested were undertaken, due to restrictive search parameters, uncertainty about the extent of databases searched, and incomplete explanations as to the absence of documents that evidence suggests may exist. The Tribunal therefore set aside the Respondent's decision and remitted the matter for reconsideration.

Court Disposition

The decision of the Respondent is set aside and remitted for reconsideration in accordance with the Tribunal's recommendations.

Orders

  • The administratively reviewable decision of the Respondent of 22 January 2024 is set aside.
  • The administratively reviewable decision of the Respondent of 22 January 2024 is remitted for reconsideration by the Respondent.