The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) has announced that as the Freedom of Information Amendment (New Arrangements) Bill 2014, which proposed the closure of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) on 31 December 2014, was not considered by the Senate before the end of the 2014 sitting period, the OAIC will therefore remain operational until further notice.

The Bill did not receive sufficient support in the Senate.

The OAIC is liaising with the Australian Government about transition arrangements for freedom of information matters.

In the meantime, Information Commissioner reviews will continue to be handled by the OAIC. Freedom of information (FOI) complaints will be referred to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The OAIC will continue to administer other statutory elements of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 including Extension Of Time applications.

The OAIC will also continue to administer the Privacy Act 1988. It had been proposed that the Privacy Commissioner transfer to the Human Rights Commission.