Senator Faulkner asked the Minister representing the Minister for Finance and Administration, upon notice, on 8 March 1999:

(1) With reference to requests for disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 dealt with by the department since 3 March 1996 and on which internal review has been sought, how many cases have been dealt with at the internal review stage within: (a) 0-30 days; (b) 30-45 days; (c) 45-60 days; (d) 0-75 days; (e) 75-90 days; and (f) over 90 days.

(2) What is the average time taken at the internal review stage to deal with the requests for disclosure of information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 dealt with by the department since 3 March 1996.

Senator Ellison (Special Minister of State) —The Minister for Finance and Administration has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) At the internal review stage, where it was sought, (a) seven cases were dealt with within 0-30 days; (b) two cases were dealt with in 31-45 days, (c) no cases were dealt with in 46-60 days, (d) no cases were dealt with in 61-75 days, (e) no cases were dealt with in 76-90 days, and (f) one was dealt with in over 90 days (this case took 92 days).

(2) The average time taken to deal with requests at the internal review stage is 32.5 days.