From the Executive Director

Festive best wishes

As we near the end of another year I would like to pause a moment to thank all of our clients for their ongoing loyalty in choosing to use FOI Solutions over the year.

We have really enjoyed providing our services to clients, which we strive to do as speedily, efficiently, professionally and accessibly at all times.  We hope it is apparent to all that we genuinely love what we do and hope we can continue to make a difference to all clients.

I would also like to thank all our staff at FOI Solutions and the Administrative Consultants at our associated non-legal service, FOI Support, for the hard work and professionalism over the year.  Their work is evidence that the value of the whole team is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

There have been a number of professional and personal developments over the year including:

• restructuring the firm to now be an incorporated legal practice
• some changes in our staff over the year
• a hip replacement which went very well (thanks for all the kind wishes along the way!)
• the VCAT attacking the backlog of FOI cases which developed over the last two years by attempting mediations as a method of whittling away at the number of outstanding cases - causing clients and other parties alike to rethink their approaches in FOI cases
• new FOI Access Charges Regulations 
• the government response to the recommendations about a new right to information act for Victoria - it needs more time to consider this!

We hope everyone reading this has an opportunity to take a break over the festive season and recharge the batteries for what will no doubt be an exciting year in the world of FOI, privacy and administrative law next year noting:

• there is a State election next year, so it will be interesting to see what platform various political parties take in relation to right to access laws
• VCAT FOI cases are cranking up slowly and will no doubt fire up during 2026 - we already have cases listed for hearing in April with lots of directions hearings in December to February, and lots of mediations and compulsory conferences from now to February 2026.

Most importantly of all - be present with your loved ones and appreciate your time with them at all times (not just at Christmas time).

Warmest festive wishes from the Team at FOI Solutions.

Mick Batskos

Executive Director