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Mick Batskos
FOI Solutions was established by its Executive Director, Mick Batskos, who has over 20 years experience in all administrative law areas. Mick was employed by a major national law firm for more than 10 years until establishing FOI Solutions in 1998. In that capacity, he practised extensively in all aspects of administrative law, particularly in freedom of information.
FOI Solutions practices in FOI matters ranging from dealing with requests as soon as they come in, right through to conducting appeals to the High Court of Australia. Mick has developed a reputation as an expert in freedom of information, privacy and other administrative law areas, and is often sought to speak in training and continuing legal education seminars for clients and the legal profession. FOI Solutions also conducts a comprehensive training schedule.
FOI Solutions was established to add value to government agencies at all levels by providing answers to their freedom of information, privacy and other administrative law problems and needs. Mick's expertise and knowledge in the niche areas of administrative law (particularly freedom of information and privacy) means that FOI Solutions is able to provide large firm service and partner level expertise at a substantially lower price. This has ensured a continued flow of quality work from a stable and growing base of clients.
In November 2005 Mick was awarded a Certificate of Service by the Law Institute of Victoria for demonstrated professional excellence and making a special contributionto the legal profession in administrative law.
In 2008 Mick was the instructing solicitor in a High Court appeal on behalf of the Secretary to the Department of Justice of Victoria in relation to a freedom of information matter and in 2009 is instructing in a further High Court appeal as that matter is challenged again.
Freedom of Information Experience
Mick is pre-eminent in the freedom of information field. Mick has extensive experience in the freedom of information area including:
- appearing for clients in hearings before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ("VCAT") and the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal ("AAT");
- advising numerous government clients orally and in writing in relation to all aspects about FOI from handling requests for access to conducting proceedings at all levels;
- developing FOI procedures manuals for Victorian government agencies, local councils and Commonwealth government agencies;
- conducting compliance audits to ensure processes and procedures are properly adhered to;
- conducting proceedings in the VCAT (and its predecessor), AAT, Federal Court, Victorian Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and High Court of Australia;
- conducting numerous seminars and training workshops (including on behalf of the Department of Justice - which administers the FOI Act in Victoria - when legislative changes were introduced by the Kennett and Bracks Governments respectively);
- drafting the Victorian Government FOI Practice Notes (click here to view)
- writing numerous journal articles and presentations on freedom of information;
- contributing to the The Law Handbook, 2004 and to the Lawyers' Practice Manual (Springvale Legal Service).
Privacy Experience
FOI Solutions has provided to agencies:
- detailed advice and drafting of documents in relation to implementation of the Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic) ("IP Act");
- advice generally under the IP Act and Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) ("HR Act")
- advice in relation to the interaction of the IP Act and other legislation and access regimes (including the FOI Act);
- privacy awareness and other training seminars for agency officers and staff;
- appearing in privacy proceedings at VCAT for clients (see for examle WL v La Trobe University and M v Department of Human Services);
- conducting independent investigations and reports in respect of privacy complaints;
- advising on complaint handling procedures .
Mick has a thorough knowledge of the IP Act and the HR Act including interaction with other legislation (eg FOI Act, register provisions in building and planning legislation, etc). FOI Solutions has provided advice to agencies in relation to implementation and compliance and long term strategies for dealing with privacy. Mick has also provided seminars in relation to general awareness of impacts of privacy legislation for agencies.
FOI Solutions has knowledge of the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and Mick Batskos was the author of perhaps the first paper on that Act after it commenced operation in 1989.
Mick is familiar with the operation of the Information Privacy Principles ("IPPs") and Health Privacy Principles("HPPs"), their genesis in the OECD guidelines and subsequently in the National Privacy Principles ("NPPs") developed by the Commonwealth Privacy Commissioner and upon which the IPPs and HPPs are based.
| Current Position: |
Executive Director, FOI Solutions
Executive Director, FOI Support |
| Contact Details: |
Telephone: (61 3) 9601 4111
Fax: (61 3) 9601 4101 or 9601 4121
E-mail: mick@foisolutions.com.au |
| Qualifications: |
- LLB (Hons) - Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws, Monash University, 1988 (Honours thesis on Freedom of Information);
- B.Ec - Bachelor of Economics, Monash University, 1986
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| Relevant Employment History: |
- Executive Director, FOI Solutions, 1998 to date
- Executive Director, FOI Support, 2009 to date
- Executive Director FOI Resources, 2004 to 2007
- Member, Building Appeals Board, 1999 to 2004
- Senior Associate, solicitor and articled clerk, Mallesons Stephen Jaques 1988-1998.
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Susannah Whitty |
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Susannah joined FOI Solutions in January 2008 as a Solicitor. She has significant experience in freedom of information and privacy law.
Since being admitted to legal practice in 2002, Susannah has worked in the administrative law field within government, primarily in legal and other advisory roles, but also in decision-making and management capacities.
Freedom of information experience
Susannah brings to the firm her experience as an FOI decision-maker, Acting FOI Manager, and Legal Officer at the Department of Human Services. That included:
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providing advice about FOI and related legal issues,
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appearing at VCAT in directions hearings and compulsory conferences as well as instructing in hearings, and
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preparing necessary tribunal documents,
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providing training, information sessions, workshops and written resources (e.g. practice notes and checklists) to FOI decision makers.
Privacy experience
Susannah's privacy experience includes providing privacy-related advice in her various legal officer roles, and most significantly, being engaged in the role of senior privacy adviser to the Department of Justice in Victoria. This included:
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frequently providing advice about privacy and related legal issues,
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attending conciliations conducted by the Office of the Victorian Privacy Commissioner,
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instructing in privacy proceedings in VCAT,
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managing the Department's privacy complaints,
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conducting privacy information sessions, training and workshops for staff and other government FOI officers.
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| Current Position: |
Solicitor, FOI Solutions
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| Contact Details: |
Telephone: (61 3) 9601 4188
Fax: (61 3) 9601 4101
E-mail: susannah@foisolutions.com.au |
| Qualifications: |
- LLB - Degree of Bachelor of Laws, Deakin University, 2001
- BA - Bachelor of Arts, Deakin University, 2001
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Leo Cussen Institute, 2002
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| Relevant Employment History: |
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Solicitor, FOI Solutions, January 2008 to date,
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Acting Senior Privacy Adviser & Whole of Victorian Government Privacy Coordinator, Department of Justice, March to December 2007,
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Legal Officer, Department of Justice, 2005 to 2007,
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FOI Legal Officer, Department of Human Services, 2004 to 2005,
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Acting FOI Manager, Department of Human Services, August to September 2004,
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FOI Decision-maker, Department of Human Services, 2003,
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Legal Officer, Department of Human Services, 2002 to 2003,
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Hearing Officer, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, 2001 to 2002.
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Jessica Heyes |
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Jessica joined FOI Solutions in February 2010. She recently moved to Melbourne from Wellington, New Zealand, where she was a Senior Solicitor at the national law firm Buddle Findlay. She was admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 2005, and is in the prcess of having that admission recognised by the Supreme Court of Victoria and obtaining a Victorian practising certificate.
Jessica has experience in advising government clients on a range of administrative law matters, including on freedom of information and privacy under similar regimes to those in Victoria.
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| Current Position: |
FOI Solutions
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| Contact Details: |
Telephone: (61 3) 9601 4141
Fax: (61 3) 9601 4101
E-mail: jessica@foisolutions.com.au |
| Qualifications: |
- LLB(Hons), Victoria University of Wellington, 2004
- Bachelor of Commerce & Administration, Victoria University of Wellington, 2002.
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| Relevant Employment History: |
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FOI Solutions, February 2010 to date,
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Senior Solicitor, Buddle Findlay, 2008-2009
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Law clerk/ Solicitor, Buddle Findlay, 2004 - 2008
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Jacqueline Sheppard
Jacqueline Sheppard is the FOI Solutions Office Manager. She joined the firm in June 2009 after over 16 years experience in various positions in the workforce including more recently as an Office Manager and as a Financial Administration Manager. Her accounting and organisational skills are essential in ensuring that FOI Solutions office and staff are operating efficiently to meet client's needs. She is responsible for the overall smooth running of the office.
Tel: (61 3) 9601 4122
Fax: (61 3) 9601 4101
Email: jackie@foisolutions.com.au |
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Wendy Johnson
Wendy Johnson is the Administrative Assistant to Mick Batskos and the other laywers in the firm. She performs the essential secretarial and reception functions which are a necessary part of the quality service provide by FOI Solutions. Wendy is responsible for organising our regular freedom of information and privacy training sessions. Wendy joined the FOI Solutions team in July 2001, having worked in the accounting industry for over 20 years.
Tel: (61 3) 9601 4131
Fax: (61 3) 9601 4101
Email: wendy@foisolutions.com.au |
Minh Le
Minh is one of our very capable and helpful Law Clerks. Having undertaken Honours in English History, Minh is enrolled in a combined Arts/Law degree at Monash University. Minh has had some invaluable experience in volunteering over the last few years at the Darebin Community Legal Centre and has recently completed an internship at the Victorian Law Reform Commission.
Minh brings the research skills she has developed from these experiences, and her enthusiasm, to FOI Solutions. She has been with the firm since September 2008.
Email: clerks@foisolutions.com.au |
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Stephanie Burn
Stephanie is the newest Law Clerk to join the FOI Solutions team having commenced in July 2009. She is currently studying for a Law/Arts degree at Monash University. She brings to the firm a broad ranging work experience including work as a Barrister's Legal Assistant and as a legal volunteer at the Association of Employees with Disabilities. Her enthusiasm and desire to learn and apply her research and communication skills make her a welcome addition to the team.
Email: clerks@foisolutions.com.au |
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