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RECORD RADAR · ROTATION 011
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SUN 19 JUL 2026
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— ROTATION 011 / 2026.07.19
Rotation 011 /034
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The 34 new FOI releases from Federal government departments and eight key agencies from 12 - 19 July 2026 are summarised below. Notable this week: The Education Department has been feeding Child Care Subsidy data to the Australian Federal Police; E&Y audits of the government's Climate Active program found 63% of sampled businesses failed carbon neutral verification with IFM Investors quietly withdrawing from the program after receiving a non-compliance notice; eight DVA employees were found to have breached the APS Code of Conduct with conflicts of interest; and Australia's Afghan compensation scheme has received 105 submissions but is yet to confirm whether a single payment has been made. Key companies mentioned: E&Y, Amazon Kuiper, Tesla, Ford, Toyota, Ram Trucks, Woodford Reserve, Viva Energy, Ampol, Export Finance Australia, NBN Co, ACIL Allen, INEOS, IFM Investors, Babel Street, CUB (Carlton & United Breweries), Lion, BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto. If you have been forwarded this email, you can subscribe here. To find out more about lodging FOI requests, at Right to Know. The initial summaries of the documents are produced by AI, but verified and written up by humans. All feedback is welcome, just hit reply.
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34
Found
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14
Recommended-read
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15
Look
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40%
Avg redact
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EDUCATION
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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EDUCATION
· % REDACTED 70%
Education Department feeds childcare data to police taskforce
The Education Department is proactively feeding Child Care Subsidy data and provider intelligence to the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission as part of the multi-agency Fraud Fusion Taskforce, formalised through signed authorisations from the department's secretary in August 2024. The specifics of what data is shared and how it is used were withheld. Redactions: dataset descriptions, disclosure purposes and legal advice withheld under s.37(2)(b) and s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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SERVICES AUSTRALIA
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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SERVICES AUSTRALIA
· % REDACTED 0%
Contractor roles duplicate permanent staff across Services Australia
Newly released 21-page document lists every core job title and role classification used by the agency for 2024–2026 under the Australian Public Service Commission's (APSC) Strategic Commissioning Framework. Titles span APS1 through SES Band 3 across service delivery, cyber security, data, finance, legal, and program management, with separate categories for contractors, graduates, apprentices, cadets, and vendors. Redactions: none
See the disclosure →
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RBA
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2 found · 2 recommended-read
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READ
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RBA
· % REDACTED 10%
Board papers show path to surcharging ban and lower interchange caps
The Payments System Board (PSB) considered the RBA's review of merchant card payment costs across four meetings from July 2025 to March 2026, culminating in a decision to ban surcharging on debit, prepaid and credit cards and lower interchange fee caps. The 434-page release includes staff recommendations, an impact analysis letter to PM&C and the draft conclusions paper. Redactions: deliberative content under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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RBA
· % REDACTED 45%
RBA flags private credit risks from AI lending and global fund collapses
Eight internal RBA documents assess financial stability risks from global private credit, estimated at $50–250 billion in Australia. Staff analysis finds Australian banks' domestic exposure is limited at roughly $12 billion but warns of opacity, easing CRE lending standards and growing links to AI infrastructure spending. Redactions: deliberative and commercially sensitive material under s.22, s.33, s.45 and s.47.
See the disclosure →
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AFP
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6 found · 2 recommended-read · 3 look
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READ
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AFP
· % REDACTED 60%
AFP integrity check matrix for staff assignments mostly withheld
The AFP uses a Professional Standards integrity check process when assigning members to roles or deployments, with results provided to decision-making delegates rather than selection panels. The released fact sheet outlines the process but the integrity checks matrix itself, covering the types of checks and parameters, is withheld. Redactions: the matrix (page two) and guidance points for delegates under s.47E(c).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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AFP
· % REDACTED 90%
FBI's imitation pistol gift to AFP chief destroyed on firearms advice
The FBI's Kash Patel gave AFP Commissioner Kershaw two gifts in July 2025: a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon valued at $51–$100 and a 3D-printed imitation pistol. The pistol was destroyed on advice from the ACT Firearms Registry. Kershaw was approved to retain the bourbon on retirement. An internal email references the gun being displayed in the Commissioner's office. Redactions: international relations material under s.22 and s.33.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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AFP
· % REDACTED 0%
ACT Policing policy sets out when officers should and should not charge
ACT Policing officers are not obliged to charge and must weigh evidence sufficiency, victim wishes and diversionary options such as cautions, restorative justice or drug diversion programs. The policy explicitly bars charging decisions motivated by political advantage, media opinion, personal feelings toward the accused, or the race, religion, gender identity or national origin of anyone involved.
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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AFP
· % REDACTED 100%
AFP training materials on sexual offences not yet published
The AFP released training materials related to sexual offences under FOI but did not publish the documents on its disclosure log. A copy has been requested and details will follow in the next edition.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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AFP
· % REDACTED 30%
AFP deployed tactical team to Porepunkah manhunt, declined media detail
The AFP activated Operation Great Alpine and deployed its Tactical Response Team to assist Victoria Police after two officers were shot dead and a third wounded at a Porepunkah property in August 2025. Internal emails show the AFP coordinated holding lines with Home Affairs and ASIO, declined Commissioner interviews, and requested media blur TRT members' faces. A separate thread shows the AFP told media sovereign citizen beliefs are not inherently violent extremist but can overlap. Redactions: contact details and operational reference numbers under s.22 and s.47E(d).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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AFP
· % REDACTED 0%
Police attended 37 incidents at ACT high school in two years
ACT Policing attended 37 confirmed incidents at Gold Creek High School across 2024 and 2025, including six assaults, four burglaries and seven minor incidents. Total call-outs fell from 20 in 2024 to 17 in 2025. The data, sourced from the AFP's PROMIS system as at June 2026, was created under s17 of the FOI Act. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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VETERANS' AFFAIRS
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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VETERANS' AFFAIRS
· % REDACTED 0%
Eight DVA staff found to have hidden conflicts of interest since 2020
Eight Department of Veterans' Affairs employees were found to have breached the APS Code of Conduct by failing to disclose a conflict of interest between 2020 and 2026. Five were fined through salary deductions, one was terminated and two resigned before sanctions were imposed. No employees were found to have engaged in unapproved outside employment. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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VETERANS' AFFAIRS
· % REDACTED 0%
Veterans eligible for DVA-funded healthcare up 13% in three years
The number of veterans eligible for DVA-funded treatment rose from 239,326 at the end of 2022 to 270,512 by January 2026, driven largely by growth under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act. Veterans receiving funded medical treatment also increased, from around 130,500 in 2022 to 144,800 in 2025. About 45,000 veterans used DVA-funded transport to health services each year. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DEWR
· % REDACTED 85%
ETU bargaining push across NSW and Pilbara detailed
The Electrical Trades Union pursued a single interest employer authorisation bid covering 11 electrical contractors in NSW and the ACT, listed for a Fair Work Commission hearing in July 2026. Separately, the union was in bargaining disputes with BHP, Fortescue and Rio Tinto in the Pilbara, involving protected industrial action and stalled pay talks. Redactions: extensive material withheld under s.22(1) and s.47F(1).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DFAT
· % REDACTED 40%
Embassy hidden-camera case triggered push to waive diplomatic immunity
DFAT recommended waiving diplomatic immunity for a Bangkok embassy staffer who hid cameras in bathrooms in 2021, to enable Thai Police to seize evidence from his workstation. He was arrested in January 2022 and dismissed. Redactions: internal deliberations withheld under s.22, s.42 and s.47F, with entire sections removed as out of scope.
See the disclosure →
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TREASURY
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1 found · 1 look
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LOOK
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TREASURY
· % REDACTED 0%
Treasury timeline shows fuel security response to Middle East crisis
Federal and state governments moved on multiple fronts to secure fuel supplies during the 2026 Middle East crisis. Federal cut the fuel excise, doubled ACCC penalties for price gouging and had the Export Finance Australia underwrite oil purchases from Viva Energy and Ampol between March and April. States added free public transport, freight rule changes and mandatory fuel-supply reporting. Redactions: none, released in full.
See the disclosure →
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SOCIAL SERVICES
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1 found · 1 look
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LOOK
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SOCIAL SERVICES
· % REDACTED 0%
Social Services releases rules for exempting farmland from pension test
Income support recipients can have farmland beyond the standard two-hectare exemption excluded from the assets test if they meet DSS's extended land use test. This requires 20 years' continuous attachment to the property and effective use of the land to generate income. Recipients who lost coverage when the one-title rule began in 2007 can retain grandfathered exemptions. Redactions: none, released in full.
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY ETC
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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INDUSTRY ETC
· % REDACTED 40%
DISR pressed DCCEEW consultants on Queensland gas supply assumptions
Industry department officials scrutinised ACIL Allen's modelling of gas-powered generation and infrastructure, commissioned by DCCEEW to inform the Future Gas Strategy and the Mitigating Gas Shortfall Risks project. Officials pushed for detailed field-by-field breakdowns of QLD supply, which the model showed providing over 80% of east coast gas, and for scenarios modelling Narrabri and Beetaloo delays. Redactions: commercial and deliberative material under s.47C and s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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INFRASTRUCTURE
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2 found · 2 look
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LOOK
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INFRASTRUCTURE
· % REDACTED 75%
Department urged minister to press NBN on Kuiper satellite deal
Departmental advice recommended Communications Minister Michelle Rowland seek further information from NBN Co on transition arrangements, consumer impacts and regulatory treatment before the government-owned company signed a service agreement with Amazon Kuiper for low Earth orbit satellite broadband delivery, potentially reshaping service for existing NBN satellite customers. Infrastructure, Communications and Finance officials coordinated on a joint shareholder ministers' letter in early 2025. Redactions: commercial and deliberative content under s.47(1)(b) and s.47C.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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INFRASTRUCTURE
· % REDACTED 5%
Carmakers push back on emissions rules covering large utes
Twelve non-confidential submissions on the proposed Australian Design Rule 81/03, which would bring utes and SUVs between 3.5 and 4.5 tonnes into the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, split sharply between industry and environmental groups. Ford, Toyota, the FCAI, Ram Trucks and INEOS sought delays, exemptions or scope changes, while Tesla, the Electric Vehicle Council, Greenpeace and Farmers for Climate Action urged the government to bring implementation forward to December 2025. Redactions: contact details.
See the disclosure →
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
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5 found · 3 recommended-read · 2 look
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READ
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
· % REDACTED 60%
Carbon credit committee prioritised native forest and fire methods over tech options
The Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee assessed 39 expressions of interest for new Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme methods in 2024 and recommended four land-sector proposals for immediate development: avoided clearing of native regrowth, managing ungulates in coastal wetlands, native forest management in public forests, and extending savanna fire management. Technology-focused proposals including waste combustion and biochar were deprioritised. Redactions: scoring methodology, assessments of unsuccessful proposals withheld under s.47E(d), s.47C and s.22.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
· % REDACTED 85%
Emergency oil committee heard fuel supply and misinformation concerns
The National Oil Supplies Emergency Committee (NOSEC) met on 10 March 2026 to discuss fuel supply pressures, with briefing points prepared for the Energy and Climate Change Senior Officials Group (ECSOG). State and territory officials raised concerns about suppliers moving to allocation-based distribution, impacts on businesses and independents in regional areas, and media misinformation about fuel security. Redactions: nearly all content withheld under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
· % REDACTED 5%
Greens climate correspondence request yielded only a meeting invite
A request for communications with the Greens on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions returned a single document: a calendar invite for a 30-minute briefing on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act with Senator Sarah Hanson-Young's office on 22 October 2025. No briefing materials, emails or other correspondence were released. Redactions: contact details.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
· % REDACTED 5%
IFM Investors quit carbon neutral program after failing to report on time
IFM Investors, certified carbon neutral since 2021-22, was issued a non-compliance notice in January 2025 after failing to submit FY2023-24 reporting due the previous October. Its certification status was downgraded from active to pending. The fund manager notified its withdrawal from the program on 10 February 2025, effective 24 March 2025. Climate Active warned that past carbon neutral claims could be considered misleading under ACCC guidelines if outstanding reporting was not completed. Redactions: contact details.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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CLIMATE, ENERGY ETC
· % REDACTED 70%
EY audited businesses' carbon neutral claims and found data failures
Ernst & Young conducted verification audits of carbon neutral claims made by businesses certified under the government's Climate Active program, sampling 24 of 324 members in FY2020-21 and 31 of 574 in FY2021-22. In the first round, 15 of 24 businesses (63%) had at least one failure, with common problems including GST inclusion in energy activity data and record-keeping that did not meet program standards. Redactions: identities of assessed businesses and individual findings withheld under s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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AGRICULTURE
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3 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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SKIP
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AGRICULTURE
· % REDACTED 5%
Venue quote sought for Codex food standards workshop
The department's Codex International Standards section sought a quote from Canberra's Shine Dome for a one-day workshop for 25 people in May 2022, covering conference room hire, catering and AV equipment. The request related to contract CN3879962. Redactions: contact details.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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AGRICULTURE
· % REDACTED 20%
Agriculture department approved 99% of work-from-home requests over two years
The department processed 911 "working away from office" applications between April 2024 and June 2026, approving 900 and rejecting 11. The release includes the department's Flexible Working Arrangements Policy, which states requests should be considered with "a bias towards approving" and recognises flexible work supports APS capability and diversity. Redactions: staff names and organisational units under s.47F and s.22.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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AGRICULTURE
· % REDACTED 30%
Food importers missed mandatory safety testing and failed to report contamination
A consolidated register lists 21 major non-compliance actions against holders of Food Import Compliance Agreements (FICAs) between January 2023 and May 2026. Most involved importers failing to conduct mandatory food safety testing for contaminants including pesticide residuals, aflatoxin and E. coli. Importers also repeatedly failed to notify the department when food exceeded maximum residue limits or arrived contaminated. Redactions: company names and products withheld under s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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DEFENCE
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4 found · 2 recommended-read · 1 look
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LOOK
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 40%
Defence scaled back US intelligence software subscriptions over three years
Defence signed three consecutive annual subscriptions with US data analytics firm Babel Street. Licence quantities fell sharply from 86 in 2023-24 to 24 in 2024-25, and three in 2025-26. Pricing was withheld. Redactions: product names, descriptions and prices removed under s.47G.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 5%
Weapons projects plagued by delays, technical failures and unmet capability milestones
Eleven Defence data sheets prepared for the Australian National Audit Office detail cost, schedule and capability problems across the Tiger helicopter, LAND 400 combat vehicle, cancelled Attack-class submarine and Hunter-class frigate programs. They record repeated milestone delays, aircraft availability and vehicle reliability problems, pressure on frigate design and construction, and about $1.4 billion spent before the submarine program was cancelled. LAND 400’s budget had reached about $5.78 billion, but final capability remained unachieved by June 2025. Redactions: minimal.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 40%
105 claims filed under Afghan war crimes compensation scheme; payouts unclear
Australia's compensation scheme for Afghan victims of alleged unlawful killings, assaults and property damage by ADF members received 105 submissions as at May 2026, with 45 found ineligible and ten eligible claims under consideration by Defence or the independent Advocate. Whether any compensation has been approved or paid is listed as "to be confirmed." A CDF-approved framework sorts claims into three tiers, with only verified claims referred to Advocate Justice Ruth McColl. Defence cited claimant safety in Afghanistan as grounds for withholding details from media and parliamentary inquiries. Redactions: process flowcharts under s47E(d), deliberative content under s22 and s47C.
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 100%
No document published: 2022 scope of works for Melbourne's 310 St Kilda Road
Defence listed a release covering the scope of works for 310 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, in 2022 but did not publish the document. A copy has been requested and details will follow in the next edition.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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ACCC
· % REDACTED 55%
ACCC closed four-year probe into big brewers' draught beer contracts
The ACCC spent four years investigating whether CUB and Lion used wholesale draught beer contracts to lock craft brewers out of pubs and venues, through clauses requiring dedicated tap space, category exclusivity and minimum purchase volumes. The regulator found venues chose beers based on patron demand rather than contractual restrictions, with craft accounting for under 12% of draught sales, and closed the case in 2017. Both brewers were warned their contracts would continue to be monitored. Redactions: released in part; commercial figures, brewer-specific data and legal analysis withheld.
See the disclosure →
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NDIS + NDIS COMMISSION
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2 found · 2 skip
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SKIP
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NDIS + NDIS COMMISSION
· % REDACTED 100%
Commissioner's office staffing and complaints data not yet published
The NDIS Commission released data on support staff numbers under acting Commissioner Phelan and Commissioner Glanville, APS levels and contractors in the Commissioner's office, executive assistant turnover, and complaints against senior executives. The document was not published on the disclosure log. A copy has been requested and details will follow in the next edition.
See the disclosure →
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SKIP
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NDIS + NDIS COMMISSION
· % REDACTED 100%
Risk-based regulatory prioritisation model and complaints data not yet published
The NDIS Commission released documents describing its Risk Based Regulatory Prioritisation Model, including governance papers and implementation frameworks, alongside quarterly open complaint numbers for 2024–25 and 2025–26. The documents were not published on the disclosure log. A copy has been requested and details will follow in the next edition.
See the disclosure →
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Quiet this rotation · no releases from PM&C, HOME AFFAIRS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, FINANCE, HEALTH, ATO, ASIC, APRA, AUSTRAC, IP AUSTRALIA, ACNC, OAIC, AEC.
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Same rotation Monday · 09:00 AEST
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