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RECORD RADAR · ROTATION 011
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SUN 12 JUL 2026
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— ROTATION 011 / 2026.07.12
Rotation 011 /032
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The 32 new FOI releases from Federal government departments and eight key agencies from 5 - 12 July 2026 are summarised below. Notable this week: The Attorney-General's Department delayed publishing five FOIs ahead of February Senate Estimates, explicitly citing estimates as the reason; Treasury ruled out a copyright exception for AI model training before meeting Anthropic; automated cancellation of income support payments was found to be unlawful with a fix not expected until mid-2027; a public servant cleared by the Robodebt taskforce received an $83k payment after self-funding their defence; and the government scrambled overnight creating talking points after reports the Pentagon was reviewing AUKUS. Key companies mentioned: KPMG, PwC, Anthropic, Aurecon, BHP, Deloitte, Endeavour Energy, Fortescue, Jacobs, Microsoft, Orima Research, Qantas, Rio Tinto and SEC Newgate. If you've been forwarded this email, you can subscribe here. To find out more about how to lodge your own FOI requests, head to Right to Know. The initial release summaries are produced by AI, but verified and written by humans. All feedback is welcome, just hit reply.
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32
Found
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16
Recommended-read
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16
Look
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39%
Avg redact
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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ATTORNEY GENERAL
· % REDACTED 15%
FOI team delayed disclosure log publication ahead of Senate Estimates
The Attorney-General's Department delayed publishing five FOI decisions on its disclosure log ahead of February 2026 Senate Estimates, with an internal email citing "the line area are seeking to delay due to estimates." The release includes Teams chats, the Sunday clearance chain for the department's media response, and the org chart identifying named staff. Redactions: staff details.
See the disclosure →
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FINANCE
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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FINANCE
· % REDACTED 5%
PwC's first post-scandal progress report flags ongoing Collins investigations
PwC Australia's inaugural six-monthly report to the Department of Finance confirms ongoing investigations by the Tax Practitioners Board, AFP and other bodies into matters arising from the Collins tax leak affair. The report covers governance, culture and accountability reforms to December 2025, recording 84 conduct matters of which eight were serious misconduct and five substantiated code breaches. Finance sought additional detail on a data breach, ASIC audit findings and the nature of the ongoing investigations. Redactions: PwC staff names under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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FINANCE
· % REDACTED 55%
Bullsbrook quarantine centre repurposed for WA bushfire season
The Commonwealth's Bullsbrook Centre for National Resilience in Perth was made available to the WA Government under a pilot program agreement for the 2025-26 higher risk weather season. Redactions: personal details (s.22) and Commonwealth-state relations material (s.37(1)(c)).
See the disclosure →
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TREASURY
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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TREASURY
· % REDACTED 30%
Treasury to Chalmers: no copyright concession for Anthropic on AI training
Treasury briefed the Treasurer ahead of an April 2026 meeting with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, firmly stating the government would not introduce a text and data mining exception in copyright law for AI model training. The brief noted Anthropic's push for copyright certainty to support data centre investment, while flagging that 81 AI-related copyright lawsuits were underway in the US. Redactions: deliberative material (s.47C, s.47E).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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TREASURY
· % REDACTED 75%
Treasurer briefed on fuel tax credits before Rio Tinto, BHP meetings
Treasury prepared meeting briefs featuring the fuel tax credit scheme and Fortescue's proposal to cap credits at $50 million per group ahead of separate March 2026 meetings with Rio Tinto and BHP executives, which opposed the changes. The scheme cost $9.8 billion in 2024-25. Key messages were almost entirely withheld. Redactions: deliberative material and personal details (s.22), personal privacy (s.47F).
See the disclosure →
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HEALTH, DISABILITY & AGING
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1 found · 1 look
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LOOK
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HEALTH, DISABILITY & AGING
· % REDACTED 80%
Department sought proof clinics had GPs on every shift, then withheld the answer
Workforce data and four-week rosters for around 20 NSW Medicare Urgent Care Clinics were requested by the department to assess staffing levels against operational guidance requiring GP-led teams with registered nurses on every shift. The release spans clinics from Carlton to Tamworth but almost all staffing numbers and roster details were withheld. Redactions: business information (s.47G), personal privacy (s.47F), commercially valuable information.
See the disclosure →
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DEWR
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4 found · 3 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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DEWR
· % REDACTED 55%
13 projects to fix unlawful welfare compliance system
The department's plan to restore lawful administration of the Targeted Compliance Framework spans 13 projects responding to Ombudsman and Deloitte findings that automated cancellation of income support was unlawful, with failures in system traceability, governance, and IT architecture. Priority work to resume suspensions and cancellations with human decision-makers targets mid-2027. Separately, 1,325 wait-time complaints were lodged in nine months. Redactions: names under s.22(1); pages deleted under s.22(1), s.42(1), and s.47C(1).
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DEWR
· % REDACTED 85%
Workplace laws tested for AI readiness, most detail withheld
Australia's Fair Work Act, WHS laws, enterprise agreements and modern awards are being assessed for fitness to handle widespread workplace AI adoption. The analysis covers accountability, transparency, discrimination, surveillance and work intensification, drawing on international approaches and stakeholder input. The department is consulting the FWO, FWC and Safe Work Australia, with findings to go to a tripartite AI Working Group before potential publication. Redactions: most content removed under s.22(1)(a)(ii), with some deliberative material withheld under s.47C.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DEWR
· % REDACTED 45%
Department mapped scale of TWU threat to shut down transport
The department briefed the Minister on the Transport Workers Union's threatened 2026 campaign to shut down Australian transport through simultaneous bargaining across hundreds of enterprise agreements. Analysis found 500 agreements covering 78,000 employees expiring in the transport sector, with the TWU party to 218 covering almost 50,000 workers. A similar 2020 TWU campaign was derailed by COVID. Redactions: names under s.22(1); ten pages deleted under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DEWR
· % REDACTED 60%
Unions test new bargaining powers at Pilbara mining giants
The Western Mine Workers Alliance used initiating bargaining provisions introduced under the Secure Jobs Better Pay reforms to push enterprise bargaining at BHP, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto operations across the Pilbara. Factsheets track BHP negotiations covering 1,600 workers at South Flank and Area C, where good faith bargaining complaints were lodged, and Fortescue's Federal Court challenge to the union's notice covering 3,000 workers. The Prime Minister publicly cautioned unions against misusing the new powers. Redactions: deliberative content and personal information under s.22(1)(a)(ii) and s.47F(1).
See the disclosure →
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SOCIAL SERVICES
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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SOCIAL SERVICES
· % REDACTED 15%
Cleared Robodebt inquiry subject reimbursed $83,000 in self-funded legal fees
A public servant investigated by the APSC's Robodebt code of conduct taskforce was granted an $83,229 act of grace payment after the 12-month inquiry found no breach. The person had been denied government legal assistance by the Social Services Minister in March 2024 and self-funded representation. DSS Secretary Michael Lye urged Finance to consider the claim, noting investigations had harmed public servants ultimately found blameless. Finance approved the full amount in December 2025. Redactions: personal privacy (s.47F), commercially valuable information (s.47(1)(b)).
See the disclosure →
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INDUSTRY & RESOURCES
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2 found · 2 recommended-read
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READ
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INDUSTRY & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 80%
AI Safety Institute built as advisory body with no enforcement powers
Australia's AI Safety Institute received $29.8 million over four years to monitor emerging AI risks and share safety insights with regulators, but has no statutory powers and no compliance function. Housed as a branch within DISR with four teams, including a technical evaluation unit for frontier AI, the institute was announced alongside the National AI Plan in late 2025 with full operational capability expected by April 2026. Redactions: substantial content withheld under s.47C, s.33(a)(i), s.47E(d) and s.22.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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INDUSTRY & RESOURCES
· % REDACTED 50%
$150m cut from startup grants program, pause timed for Budget night
The Industry Growth Program, which approved 134 grants worth $201.5 million for startups and SMEs, was paused to new applications on Budget night after Minister Ayres agreed to a redesign. Nearly $150 million was cut across the 2025-26 MYEFO and 2026-27 Budget. Internal emails show no proactive communications were planned about the pause, with messaging prepared only for reactive use. Redactions: redesign options and deliberative content withheld under s.47C.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DFAT
· % REDACTED 0%
Climate ambassador's seven trips cost nearly $90,000 in flights alone
Ambassador for Climate Change Will Nankervis took seven international trips between September 2025 and May 2026, with flights totalling approximately $88,200. The trips were to Brazil (for COP30), the US, Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, and pre-COP consultations in the UK and Türkiye. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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INFRASTRUCTURE ETC
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2 found · 1 recommended-read · 1 look
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READ
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INFRASTRUCTURE ETC
· % REDACTED 60%
Seven critical supply chain assessments released with risk detail stripped
One-page briefings on seven strategically important supply chains of fuel, pharmaceuticals, renewables, semiconductors, agricultural chemicals, water treatment and telecoms, were released with most vulnerability analysis removed. Import data shows heavy reliance on China across most categories, including renewables ($3.8 billion), telecoms ($2.3 billion) and agricultural chemicals ($1.5 billion). The pharmaceuticals placemat notes 385 active medicine shortages, 33 classified as critical. Redactions: risk assessments withheld under s.33, commercial information under s.45.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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INFRASTRUCTURE ETC
· % REDACTED 60%
Ministers silent on Norfolk Island Qantas safety alarm
The Norfolk Island Chamber of Commerce sent three escalating letters to Ministers King and McBain in April 2026 about recurring mechanical issues on Qantas flights, after QF180 was cancelled. No ministerial reply was received. The department asked Qantas for a reassurance statement; Qantas attributed the cancellation to a bird strike and confirmed no engineers are permanently based on the island. Redactions: contract discussions withheld under s.45.
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
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7 found · 3 recommended-read · 4 look
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 10%
PM&C tracked Hamas praise and Israeli response after Palestine recognition
PM&C compiled Hamas statements welcoming Australia's recognition of Palestine in August 2025, sending them the same day media reported co-founder Hassan Yousef allegedly praising Albanese's decision. The brief noted DFAT was aware of only one Hamas statement regarding Australia. A follow-up email the next day forwarded Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon's social media posts responding to the Hamas comments. Redactions: one recipient identity (s.47E(d)).
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 45%
Defence Secretary appointed without interview in closed process
The PM approved a closed competitive process on 24 February 2026 to replace Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty when he was appointed US Ambassador. A panel chaired by PM&C Secretary Kennedy assessed three candidates without interviews, finding all suitable. DPM Marles preferred Meghan Quinn, then Secretary of Industry, Science and Resources, and the PM signed her appointment brief on 23 April 2026. Redactions: two candidates' identities (s.47F, s.47E(c)), deliberative content (s.47C).
See the disclosure →
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 40%
PM&C coordinated Israel sanctions through UK-led process
PM&C circulated a DFAT "red line check" to the Prime Minister's Office on 9 June 2025 for the UK-led joint announcement sanctioning Israeli ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich. DFAT talking points for the 11 June announcement describe targeted asset freezing, and travel bans coordinated with Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK. Redactions: evidentiary background on the ministers is fully redacted (s.47E, s.33), deliberative content (s.47C).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 25%
Anthropic flags Australia for data centres in PM meeting brief
A DISR brief for PM Albanese's April 2026 meeting with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei notes Australia is high on the company's list for first-party data centres outside the US. The meeting accompanied signing of an AI collaboration MoU, the first with a major AI company under the National AI Plan. Redactions: data centre specifics withheld (s.47G), international relations (s.33).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 15%
COVID-19 Inquiry contracted focus groups and national survey
PM&C contracted Orima Research for focus groups and SEC Newgate for a 2,000-person national survey to support the COVID-19 Response Inquiry in mid-2024 to examine sentiment towards pandemic management. The Orima contract covered participants across ten cohorts including people with disability, First Nations communities, and vaccine-hesitant individuals. Redactions: commercial pricing (s.47G).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 25%
PM briefed on $1.24 billion Microsoft deal and ACCC lawsuit ahead of Nadella meeting
PM&C briefed Albanese for an April 2026 meeting with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, noting Australia is Microsoft's fifth-largest market and the government one of its largest customers globally. The brief details a new five-year agreement from 1 July 2026, replacing a $1.24 billion contract, and flags the ACCC's legal proceedings over alleged Copilot-related consumer misleading. Redactions: commercial and deliberative content (s.47E(d), s.47G(1)(a), s.47C), personal details (s.22).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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PM&C
· % REDACTED 5%
Three public Acts, seven months of back-and-forth
A request for documents identifying the Crown(s) possessed by the Sovereign of Australia took seven months to process after PM&C declared it invalid for insufficient specificity. The department repeatedly sought clarification before eventually identifying three publicly available legislative documents and releasing them in full. Redactions: staff details under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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DCEEW
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4 found · 2 recommended-read · 2 look
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LOOK
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DCEEW
· % REDACTED 70%
Fuel emergency threshold assessed amid Middle East supply shock
DCCEEW assessed in March 2026 whether to declare a liquid fuel emergency, finding no shortage existed despite localised disruptions and panic buying. The government released up to 20% of Minimum Stockholding Obligation reserves and contributed 4.8 million barrels to an IEA collective action. Over 90% of Australia's refined fuel consumption relies on imports, with indirect exposure to the Strait of Hormuz. Released in part. Redactions: policy deliberations under s.22(1)(a)(ii); international relations under s.33.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DCEEW
· % REDACTED 5%
Loose cargo label hits Antarctic helicopter rotor mid-flight
A cargo sticker detached from a sling load and struck the tail rotor of a helicopter operating between Davis Station and the RSV Nuyina in March 2026. The incident was rated high risk, with potential consequences including permanent disability. Cold weather weakening sticker adhesion was identified as the root cause, a known problem. Redactions: personal details under s.47F.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DCEEW
· % REDACTED 0%
Endeavour Energy seeks $6.7m for 32 community batteries across NSW
Endeavour Energy applied for $6.7 million in ARENA funding to install 32 community batteries totalling 3.4 MW and 8.0 MWh across western Sydney, the Illawarra and the South Coast, as part of the Community Batteries Funding Round 1. All three NSW network operators jointly backed the bid. The batteries target areas where rooftop solar growth is straining the low-voltage network. Redactions: nil.
See the disclosure →
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READ
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DCEEW
· % REDACTED 10%
KPMG's carbon neutral claims required repeated corrections
KPMG Australia's Climate Active carbon neutral certification required multiple rounds of amendments across three years (CY2019 to CY2021), with the department repeatedly flagging errors in emissions calculations, offset tables, and electricity data. An initial audit found KPMG had used incorrect air travel emission factors and excluded taxi travel. The firm's reported footprint fell from about 40,000 tCO2-e to 8,535. Redactions: audit methodology under s.22 and s.47G(1).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 60%
Government scrambled talking points as Pentagon reviewed scrapping AUKUS
The government prepared contingency talking points overnight on 11-12 June 2025 after the Financial Times reported the Pentagon was reviewing whether to scrap AUKUS. The points framed the review as routine, citing phone calls between Albanese and Trump and between the Deputy PM and Defense Secretary Hegseth. Listed on the FOI log last week but without documents. Redactions: large portions of the overnight email chain were redacted. international relations material (s.33), personal information (s.47F).
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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DEFENCE
· % REDACTED 90%
Fort Queenscliff heritage assessments almost entirely redacted
Defence released two consultant heritage assessments for Fort Queenscliff, the historic Victorian military installation, with almost all content redacted. The 131-page release includes Aurecon's 2019 Indigenous Heritage Assessment and a separate Jacobs report. Only cover pages, a table of contents and a reference list survived redaction. The Aurecon report warns that information about the location of Indigenous cultural heritage should be removed before public distribution. Listed on the FOI log last week but without documents.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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APRA
· % REDACTED 40%
APRA kept its response on AI cyber model under wraps
APRA staff circulated articles about Anthropic's Claude Mythos and Project Glasswing through internal email and the agency's AI/ML Teams channel on 9 April, noting the model had found thousands of high-severity software vulnerabilities. When asked whether Australian financial infrastructure operators had access to Mythos, APRA's response was almost entirely redacted. Listed on the FOI log last week but without documents. Redactions: APRA's response, staff details (s.22).
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NDIS + NDIS COMMISSTION
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1 found · 1 recommended-read
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READ
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NDIS + NDIS COMMISSTION
· % REDACTED 0%
No specific cognitive assessment criteria in NDIS planner guidance
The NDIA released two documents in response to a request for guidance on how planners determine who should complete a cognitive assessment. The materials are general therapy supports guidelines (October 2025) and an internal knowledge article on psychology supports (November 2025), which outline when the NDIS can fund psychology as capacity-building therapy but contain no specific cognitive assessment referral criteria or decision-making tools. Redactions: none.
See the disclosure →
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LOOK
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OAIC
· % REDACTED 35%
OAIC endorsed enforcement chief role it cannot yet fund
The OAIC's Governance Board endorsed a permanent SES Band 1 enforcement leadership role in its Regulatory Action Division despite lacking SES cohort capacity beyond 2025-26. A business case argued the temporary arrangement posed risks to strategic continuity and regulatory credibility, citing matters including Medibank and Optus. The role oversees three Federal Court litigations and up to 15 commissioner-initiated investigations. Advertised April 2026 with appointment contingent on budget. Released in part. Redactions: out-of-scope material under s.22.
See the disclosure →
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Quiet this rotation · no releases from HOME AFFAIRS, AGRICULTURE, VETERAN'S AFFAIRS, ATO, ASIC, ACCC, AUSTRAC, AFP, SERVICES AUSTRALIA, IP AUSTRALIA, ACNC, EDUCATION, RBA.
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Same rotation Monday · 09:00 AEST
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