Akers v RSPCA

[2024] VSC 489

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA Not Restricted

AT MELBOURNE
COMMON LAW DIVISION
JUDICIAL REVIEW AND APPEALS LIST

S ECI 2023 02850
S ECI 2023 02851
S ECI 2023 02852
S ECI 2023 02853

BRUCE AKERS	Applicant
v
THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS	Respondent

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JUDGE:	Gray J
WHERE HELD:	Melbourne
DATE OF HEARING:	11 July 2024
DATE OF JUDGMENT:	23 August 2024
CASE MAY BE CITED AS:	Akers v RSPCA
MEDIUM NEUTRAL CITATION:	[2024] VSC 489

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ADMINISTRATIVE LAW — Application for leave to appeal pursuant to Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 s 148 — Decisions under Freedom of Information Act 1982 — Leave to appeal refused.

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APPEARANCES:	Counsel	Solicitors
For the Applicant	Self-represented
For the Defendant	Mr A Crocker	Ebsworth Lawyers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction........................................................................................................................................ 1

Procedural history and statutory scheme...................................................................................... 1

Application to Information Commissioner............................................................................... 1

Information Commissioner’s powers and duties..................................................................... 2

Decisions of an officer of OVIC................................................................................................... 2

Application to Tribunal................................................................................................................ 3

Tribunal’s orders and reasons..................................................................................................... 3

‘Personal affairs’ exemption — FOI Act s 33(1).............................................................. 3

Consultation/notice requirements — FOI Act ss 33(2B) and 53A............................... 3

Investigative methods exemption — FOI Act s 31(1)(d)................................................ 5

Police intelligence exemption — FOI Act s 31(3)............................................................ 5

Public interest override provision — FOI Act s 50(4).................................................... 5

Complaints about the adequacy of searches — FOI Act ss 61A and 61B.................... 5

The proceedings in this Court..................................................................................................... 7

Applicable principles........................................................................................................................ 9

Consideration.................................................................................................................................... 10

Tribunal’s Orders and Reasons................................................................................................. 10

First SCV proceeding (S ECI 2023 02850) — appeal from VCAT proceeding Z681/2021 13

Overview............................................................................................................................. 13

Grounds of appeal............................................................................................................. 14

Grounds 1 and 2................................................................................................... 14

Ground 3................................................................................................................ 15

Ground 4................................................................................................................ 17

Ground 5................................................................................................................ 19

Ground 6................................................................................................................ 22

Ground 7................................................................................................................ 23

Conclusion regarding first SCV proceeding.................................................................. 24

Second SCV proceeding (S ECI 2023 02851) — appeal from VCAT proceeding Z671/2020     24

Overview............................................................................................................................. 24

Grounds of appeal............................................................................................................. 25

Ground 1................................................................................................................ 25

Ground 2................................................................................................................ 26

Ground 3................................................................................................................ 26

Ground 4................................................................................................................ 26

Ground 5................................................................................................................ 27

Grounds 6 and 7................................................................................................... 27

Grounds 8 and 9................................................................................................... 28

Ground 10.............................................................................................................. 28

Ground 11.............................................................................................................. 28

Ground 12.............................................................................................................. 29

Ground 13.............................................................................................................. 29

Ground 14.............................................................................................................. 30

Conclusion regarding second SCV proceeding............................................................ 30

Third SCV proceeding (S ECI 2023 02852) — appeal from VCAT proceeding Z782/2020 31

Overview............................................................................................................................. 31

Grounds of appeal............................................................................................................. 32

Ground 1................................................................................................................ 32

Ground 2................................................................................................................ 34

Ground 3................................................................................................................ 35

Ground 4................................................................................................................ 35

Ground 5................................................................................................................ 36

Ground 6................................................................................................................ 36

Ground 7................................................................................................................ 37

Conclusion regarding third SCV proceeding................................................................ 37

Fourth SCV proceeding (S ECI 2023 02853) — appeal from VCAT proceeding Z881/2020 38

Overview............................................................................................................................. 38

Grounds of appeal............................................................................................................. 39

Ground 1................................................................................................................ 39

Ground 2................................................................................................................ 40

Ground 3................................................................................................................ 41

Ground 4................................................................................................................ 41

Ground 5................................................................................................................ 41

Ground 6................................................................................................................ 42

Conclusion regarding fourth SCV proceeding.............................................................. 42

Overall conclusion........................................................................................................................... 42

HIS HONOUR:

Introduction

1. The applicant seeks leave to appeal from decisions of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) in relation to four requests for access to documents he made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). Has he established real prospects…