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DFAT FOI - DECLASSIFIED - RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX9870
From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
"FOI"
Subject:
FOI request - Transfer request - LEX9204 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:10:11 PM
Attachments:
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Thanks very much s22(1)(a)(ii)
Kind regards
s22(1)(a)(ii)
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch| Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone: s22(1)(a)(ii)  |
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
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This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which legal professional
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From: FOI <xxx@xxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 10 October 2023 12:01 PM
To: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: FOI <xxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: FOI request - Transfer request - LEX9204 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
FOI/2023/287
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
Thank you for your time on the phone yesterday.
PM&C does not accept transfer of the below FOI request, as we believe DFAT is best placed to
respond to the first part of the request, being “briefing notes and advice notes prepared by
DFAT…”.
I note that the applicant sent the request to both DFAT and PM&C. The Prime Minister’s Office
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DFAT FOI - DECLASSIFIED - RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 9358, 
9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
Thank you for your FOI request dated 9 October 2023 (LEX 9207) in which you sought access 
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
1. Al  talking points, submissions, meeting briefs and advice provided to Minister Wong
or her staff between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the Israel and
Hamas conflict.
2. Al  emails and requests for information through parliamentary document
management systems by the Department Liaison Officers in Minister Wong’s office to
the Department between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the Israel
and Hamas conflict.
3. Al  emails, encrypted messages and text messages received from and sent to Minister
Wong or her staff between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the Israel
and Hamas conflict, by the:
• Secretary
• First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group)
• Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch)
• First Assistant Secretary (Strategic Communications Division)
• Assistant Secretary (Media Communications Delivery Branch)
• Assistant Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy)
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
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Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
 
Combining your request 
 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
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Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire”  
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
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6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
Targeted searches relating to your request 
 
In addition to this and noting the shorter date range for your request, additional searches 
have been undertaken for your request to determine its volume based on the reduced 
timeframe. These searches have been undertaken by the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Consular and Crisis Management Division, Strategic Communications Division (who also 
have responsibility for the talking points inbox), Humanitarian Division, the officers 
specifically name in your request and additional Senior Executive officers, including Offices 
of Deputy Secretaries. 
 
Preliminary searches located 108 discrete documents, total ing 509 pages and an estimated 
25 hours has been spent already searching for documents. 
 
I consider the time spent on this request to date, and the number of documents located, to 
be conservative as additional business areas have been identified as potential y holding 
documents that have not yet completed document searches. Additional y, the hours 
required to process this request would far extend what is reasonable when considering the 
time required to undertake further searches, manually inspect each document to determine 
if they are all in scope, remove duplicate documents noting many areas in the department 
have undertaken searches, before col ating the documents, identifying sensitivities and 
processing the documents. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
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• Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents.
• Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants.
• The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing.
• The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency,
including FOI.
• The significant public interest in the documents requested.
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the Act. 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
(a) withdraw your request;
(b) revise the scope of your request; or
(c) notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request.
I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
• limit the type of documents sought, and
• reduce the date range for your request.
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered withdrawn. 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii)  
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
I refer to your request dated 9 October 2023 (LEX 9207) in which you sought access 
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
1. All talking points, submissions, meeting briefs and advice provided to Minister
Wong or her staff between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the
Israel and Hamas conflict.
2. Al  emails and requests for information through parliamentary document
mangement systems by the Department Liaison Officers in Minister Wong’s office
to the Department between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the
Israel and Hamas conflict.
3. Al  emails, encrypted messages and text messages received from and sent to
Minister Wong or her staff between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023
regarding the Israel and Hamas conflict, by the:
• Secretary
• First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group)
• Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch)
• First Assistant Secretary (Strategic Communications Division)
• Assistant Secretary (Media Communications Delivery Branch)
• Assistant Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy)
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
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That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
That same day you revised the scope of your request to: 
1. Al  emails and requests for information through parliamentary document
management systems by the Department Liaison Officers in Minister Wong’s office to
the Department between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the Israel
and Hamas conflict.
2. Al  emails, encrypted messages and text messages received from and sent to Minister
Wong or her staff between 6 October 2023 and 9 October 2023 regarding the Israel
and Hamas conflict, by the:
• Secretary
• First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group)
• Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch)
• First Assistant Secretary (Strategic Communications Division)
• Assistant Secretary (Media Communications Delivery Branch)
• Assistant Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy)
This was accepted as the revised scope for your part of the request. 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
(a) withdraw their part of the request,
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or
(c) notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the
request.
Decision 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
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Relevantly to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have consulted: 
• the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch (CXB),
• the Business Solutions Branch (BSB),
• the Secretary’s Office,
• First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group),
• Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch),
• First Assistant Secretary (Strategic Communications Division),
• Assistant Secretary (Media Communications Delivery Branch), and
• Assistant Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy).
Each of those listed above have assisted in estimating resource demands of your part of the 
request. 
In the processing of your original scope, CXB were engaged to run searches of the 
parliamentary document management systems in relation to the now revised part 1 of your 
request and did not find any documents relevant to the request. 
In the processing of your original scope, the Secretary’s Office, First Assistant Secretary 
(Middle East and Africa Group), Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch), First Assistant 
Secretary (Strategic Communications Division), Assistant Secretary (Media Communications 
Delivery Branch), and Assistant Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy) 
undertook searches in relation to the now revised part 2 of your request. 
The First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group) and Assistant Secretary (Middle 
East Branch) identified documents relevant to the now revised part 2 of your request. 
However, the Secretary’s Office, First Assistant Secretary (Strategic Communications 
Division), Assistant Secretary (Media Communications Delivery Branch), and Assistant 
Secretary (Communications Planning and Public Diplomacy) did not find any documents 
relevant to the now revised part 2 of your request. 
As for the now revised part 2 of your request, noting the positive document returns the First 
Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group) and Assistant Secretary (Middle East 
Branch), and your contention that: 
“the date range of my request represents only 11.8% of the scope of the combined 
request as advised by the Business Solutions Branch (BSB).  The search terms of my 
request represent only one out of the 14 listed by the BSB for emails and none of the 
cables. The locations relevant for search based on the officials I listed are largely 
limited to Canberra – representing one out of the 10 locations BSB used for its 
estimation.” 
BSB were re-engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
• a date range of 6 October 2023 to 9 October 2023
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• emails to/from the First Assistant Secretary (Middle East and Africa Group) and
Assistant Secretary (Middle East Branch) to/from five ministerial advisors that
had been identified from the documents returns by the relevant officers.
Searches completed by BSB identified 55 items within the search parameters. The 55 items 
were then manual y reviewed to determine whether the documents were within scope of 
your request. Duplicates and emails outside the date range of our request (i.e., emails sent 
or received after 12:55pm on 9 October 2023) were removed from the document bundle. 
Over 200 pages worth of emails and attachments were identified to be within the scope of 
the request. Additional y in undertaking the searches in your original request encrypted 
messages and text messages were also identified. 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to the time already spent identifying, locating, and collating 
documents, and the time that is stil  required to: 
• examine the documents, decide whether to grant, refuse or defer access,
• redact exempt material from the document,
• notifying an interim or final decision to applicants,
• the staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing,
• the impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency,
including FOI, and
• the significant public interest in the documents requested.
I am satisfied that the request constitutes a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department’s resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act.  
Combining requests 
As outlined in the consultation letter sent to you on 14 November 2023, under 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, an agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. Part 3.123 of the FOI Guidelines provide that section 24(2) of the FOI 
Act can apply to two of more requests from different applicants. 
As noted in the consultation letter the department received 13 FOI requests relating to the 
Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 1 October 2023 to 
3 November 2023. I have considered your contention regarding the date range and the 
search terms of your request. 
However, having undertaken further searches specific to your request and considering the 
scopes and documents captured by al  parts of the combined request, I remain satisfied the 
requests related to documents, the subject matter of which is substantial y the same, being 
the Hamas-Israel Conflict. Therefore, I remain satisfied your request could be combined 
with the other applicant’s requests into one single request under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI 
Act.  
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Review 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
We trust this information assists. 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). 
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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From:
FOI FMO
To:
FOI; FOI FMO
Cc:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: Seeking transfer of FOI request to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 19 October 2023 3:18:10 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
image002.png
OFFICIAL
 
Thanks s22(1)(a)(ii) and sorry for the delay!
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:49 AM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: Seeking transfer of FOI request to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Many thanks for verbal confirmation of transfer of this request yesterday.
 
As per standard practice I’ve written to the applicant and let them know you have accepted
transfer of the request (attached).
 
Note that the statutory timeframe commenced on 15 October 2023 and a decision is due to the
applicant by 14 November 2023.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions on next steps. In the
meantime we will close the file on our end.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
15

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This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 17 October 2023 3:51 PM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Seeking transfer of FOI request to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Just following up your consideration of this transfer request, as the statutory clock commences
when the request is received.
 
Please let me know if you would like to discuss.
 
Kind regards,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
A/g Director | Freedom of Information Section 
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
P s22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au> 
Sent: Monday, 16 October 2023 9:07 AM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Seeking transfer of FOI request to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
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RE: LEX 9262
 
On 15 October 2023, the department received the attached FOI request from s22(1)(a)(ii)
 relating to legal advice received by the Foreign Minister relating to
current events in Gaza.
 
It appears that this request is more closely aligned with the functions of the Office of the Foreign
Minister. As such, we would be most grateful if you could confirm whether you would accept
transfer of this request under section 16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.
 
Grateful if you could respond by midday Tuesday 17 October 2023 confirming your position. If
you confirm acceptance of the transfer, DFAT will notify the applicant that that part of the
request has been transferred and provide you with that correspondence.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Kind regards,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
A/g Director | Freedom of Information Section 
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
P s22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
 
 
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FOI
From:
FOI
Sent:
Thursday, 19 October 2023 11:46 AM
To:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
LEX 9262 - Notification of Transfer - FOI Request [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
We refer to your below request dated 15 October 2023, in which you have sought access to documents held by the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Freedom of Informa on Act 1982 (FOI Act).  
 
You have requested access to: 
 
 
"... all documents, reports & communica on that relate to the legal advice the Foreign Minister Penny Wong  
has received in regarding the figh ng, bombing and blockade of Gaza in October 2023" 
 
Documents which would be the subject of your request would be in the possession of the Office of the Minister for 
Foreign Affairs (FMO).  
 
As such, your request was transferred to the FMO on 18 October 2023 under sec on 16 of the FOI Act so that that 
they can make a decision on your request for access to their documents.   
 
Your applica on was received on 15 October 2023, and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request will 
commence from that date.   
 
An officer from the FMO will be wri ng to you directly concerning your request. 
 
Kind regards  
 
DFAT FOI Team 
_______________________________ 
Freedom of Informa on Sec on 
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade dfat.gov.au 
| Twi er | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn 
 
  
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011) 
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to 
land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, 
present and emerging. 
 
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ 
From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Sent: Sunday, 15 October 2023 3:14 PM 
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Informa on request ‐ Legal advice on Gaza 
 
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisa on. Do not click links or open a achments unless you 
recognise the sender. 
 
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 
 
1
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I am a er all documents, reports & communica on that relate to the legal advice the Foreign Minister Penny Wong  
has received in regarding the figh ng, bombing and blockade of Gaza in October 2023 
 
Yours faithfully, 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
2
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
I refer to your five FOI requests dated 14 October 2023 (LEX 9269), 20 October 2023 (LEX 
9326), 24 October 2023 (LEX 9346), 27 October 2023 (LEX 9368) and 2 November 2023  
(LEX 9419), in which you sought access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) 
to: 
LEX 9269 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, memoranda, submissions, advice, 
talking points, to the Minister and/or her office relating to the provision of 
support to Israel fol owing the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 and in 
relation to the occurrence or possibility of war crimes against the citizens of 
Gaza. 
LEX 9326 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, assessments, memoranda, 
submissions, advice, talking points, to the Minister and/or her office in 
relation to the bombing of Al-Shifa Baptist Hospital in Gaza. 
LEX 9346 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, assessments, memoranda, 
submissions, requests, advice, talking points, directives, to the Minister 
and/or her office in relation calls for a ceasefire in Gaza from 7 October 
2023 to date. 
LEX 9368 
… copies of emails, memoranda, advice, directives, recommendations, briefs 
to the Minister for Defence and/or his office and/or his Department in 
relation to defence export permits to Israel issued from 7 October 2023 to 
date. 
LEX 9419 
… all cables, talking points, submissions, memoranda, advice, emails, 
directives to the Minister and/or her office and/or her department in 
relation to Australia’s abstention vote on motion A/ES-10/L.25 before the 
United Nations General Assembly on 27 October 2023. 
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
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Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantially the same. 
 
Combining your requests   
 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
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percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
 
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1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI.   
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
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Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688  
November 2023   
s22(1)(a)(ii)  
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
 
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
 
I refer to your five FOI requests dated 14 October 2023 (LEX 9269), 20 October 2023 (LEX 
9326), 24 October 2023 (LEX 9346), 27 October 2023 (LEX 9368) and 2 November 2023 
(LEX 9419), in which you sought access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) 
to: 
  LEX 9269 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, memoranda, submissions, advice, 
talking points, to the Minister and/or her office relating to the provision 
of support to Israel fol owing the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 and 
in relation to the occurrence or possibility of war crimes against the 
citizens of Gaza. 
LEX 9326 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, assessments, memoranda, 
submissions, advice, talking points, to the Minister and/or her office in 
relation to the bombing of Al-Shifa Baptist Hospital in Gaza. 
LEX 9346 
… copies of all cables, reports, emails, assessments, memoranda, 
submissions, requests, advice, talking points, directives, to the Minister 
and/or her office in relation calls for a ceasefire in Gaza from 7 October 
2023 to date. 
LEX 9368 
… copies of emails, memoranda, advice, directives, recommendations, 
briefs to the Minister for Defence and/or his office and/or his 
Department in relation to defence export permits to Israel issued from 7 
October 2023 to date. 
LEX 9419 
… all cables, talking points, submissions, memoranda, advice, emails, 
directives to the Minister and/or her office and/or her department in 
relation to Australia’s abstention vote on motion A/ES-10/L.25 before 
the United Nations General Assembly on 27 October 2023.al. 
 
 
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On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
On 28 November 2023 you wrote to the department and advised: 
 
You wil  note that I have provided a specific date range for the documents requested 
and I fail to see how the FOIs received from other parties is relevant to the 5 FOIs, 
that I have requested, save and except that the documents should already have been 
inspected and col ated for the other requests. 
 
I’m prepared to withdraw FOI requests LEX 9269, 9326 and 9346 but press FOI 
requests LEX 9368 and LEX 9419. 
 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
  (a) withdraw their part of the request, 
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or 
(c)  notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the 
request. 
 
Decision 
 
As per the terms of your revision, you have withdrawn LEX 9269, 9326 and 9346. 
Accordingly, I have considered the terms of your two remaining parts of the requests (LEX 
9638 and LEX 9419), including that you have not revised the scope of those parts, along with 
the terms of the other revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still 
exists, and that processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable 
diversion of the department's resources. 
 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
 
Relevantly to your two remaining parts of the request (LEX 9638 and LEX 9419), I have 
consulted colleagues in the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch (CXB), Business 
Solutions Branch (BSB) and Cyber Security and Networks Branch (CRB) who have assisted in 
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estimating resource demands of your parts of the request. Searches for potentially 
relevant documents have been undertaken by CXB, BSB and CRB.  
CXB were engaged to undertake searches of the department’s parliamentary document 
management systems for relevant ministerial submissions for each request and did not find 
any documents relevant to your request. 
BSB were engaged to undertake searches for talking points, within which the Foreign 
Minister’s Office was a recipient. As of 27 October 2023 (being the relevant date range for 
your parts of the request) the talking points were at version 50 (averaging 10 pages per 
document and an estimate of 500 pages to be examined to determine if any of the talking 
points are in scope). 
CRB were engaged to undertake department wide searches for emails and were provided 
with the fol owing search parameters: 
• a date range of 7 October 2023 to 27 October 2023
• key word search combinations being:
1. “abstention” or “abstention vote” or “A/ES-10/L.25” or “United Nations
General Assembly”
2. "Department of Defence" AND "export permit" OR "Minister for Defence"
AND "export permit" OR "defence export permit" AND "Israel" OR "defence
export permit" OR "export permit"
3. "Department of Defence" AND "export permit" OR "Minister for Defence"
AND "export permit" OR "defence export permit" AND "Israel".
Searches completed by CRB identified 37,146 items for the first key word search 
combination, 4,848 items for the second key word search combination and 2,911 items for 
the second key word search combination. 
A manual review of each document would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
Additional y, I consider the documents obtained to date to be a conservative estimate as 
areas who may also hold documents are yet to be engaged, such as the team that manages 
the cable system. 
I am satisfied that even if your request was not combined with the 12 other requests your 
request would stil  constitute a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s 
resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
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Combining requests 
I refer to your contention: 
You wil  note that I have provided a specific date range for the documents requested 
and I fail to see how the FOIs received from other parties is relevant to the 5 FOIs, 
that I have requested, save and except that the documents should already have been 
inspected and col ated for the other requests. 
As outlined in the consultation letter sent to you on 14 November 2023, under section 
24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, an agency may treat two or more requests as a single request if 
satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is substantial y 
the same. Part 3.123 of the FOI Guidelines provide that section 24(2) of the FOI Act can 
apply to two of more requests from different applicants. 
As noted in the consultation, letter the department received 13 FOI requests relating to the 
Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 1 October 2023 to 
3 November 2023.  Whilst you have provided a specific date range for your remaining 
requests (LEX 9368 and LEX 9419), your date ranges cover a date range for LEX 9368 of up to 
27 October 2023, with no start date, and a date range for LEX 9419 7 October 2023 to 
27 October 2023. Therefore, your date range for your parts of the request spans most of the 
date range considered when combining the different requests.  
Additionally, I considered the scope off al  13 requests and was satisfied the requests 
related to documents, the subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the 
Hamas-Israel Conflict. Therefore, I was satisfied your requests could be combined with the 
other applicant’s requests into one single request under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act.  
Review 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
We trust this information assists. 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii) 
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). 
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
Thank you for your FOI request dated 17 October 2023 (LEX 9295) in which you sought 
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
“… all documents including reports, correspondence, file notes, talking points, 
meeting minutes or memos that relate to the Department of Foreign Affairs & 
Trade’s position on “De-escalation” or "Ceasefire" in the current Gaza war that began 
in October 2023.” 
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
Combining your request 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
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Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
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•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
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4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI.   
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
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Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email:s22(1)(a)(ii)
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
I refer to your request dated 17 October 2023 (LEX 9295) in which you sought access 
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
“… all documents including reports, correspondence, file notes, talking points, 
meeting minutes or memos that relate to the Department of Foreign Affairs & 
Trade’s position on “De-escalation” or "Ceasefire" in the current Gaza war that began 
in October 2023.” 
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
On 15 November 2023 you wrote to the department and sought the department’s 
assistance, stating: 
“As per the FOI guidelines there is a requirement for agencies to assist the applicant 
to revise the scope of the request so that the request does not attract section 24AA 
too voluminous provision. Given that the timeframe I have requested for documents 
is exceptionally small (7th October 2023 - 17th October 2023). 
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My understanding is that you have taken multiple requests from different applicants, 
and assessed them all as too large. I only require documents regarding "Ceasefire" 
and "De-escalation" during this time period. I believe if you did not merge my 
requests with others, it would not attract the section 24AA provision. 
Given this, can you please advise on how the request can be amended so that it is not 
too large?” 
On 16 November 2023, after consulting Cyber Security and Networks Branch (CRB) and 
asking them to conduct targeted searches, the department advised you: 
“Our cyber team has re-run a search of the 77 inboxes based on your specified date 
range of 7 October 2023 to 17 October 2023 and using the search terms "ceasefire" 
or "de-escalation" and they have located 1,476 items. 
This is considered to be a conservative estimate as it only includes a sample of 
people’s email addresses used to run the original searches, and does not include 
many other areas within the department, including overseas posts, that have also 
been identified as holding documents. 
Additionally this search is confined to emails only, and your request was for “all 
documents including reports, correspondence, file notes, talking points, meeting 
minutes or memos”. 
On this basis, your request attracts a practical refusal reason, whether it is a 
standalone request or combined. 
To reduce the size of your request you may consider limiting your request to a 
particular document type (such as a talking points or diplomatic cables).” 
On 22 November 2023, you responded to the department and asked: 
“Can we limit the scope to talking points, diplomatic cables and minitrial 
submissions?” 
On 23 November 2023, the department responded to you and advised we would take your 
revised scope to be for: 
“Talking points, diplomatic cables and ministerial submissions for the date range 7 
October 2023 to 17 October 2023 that relate to the Department of Foreign Affairs & 
Trade’s position on “De-escalation” or "Ceasefire" in the current Gaza war that began 
in October 2023.” 
On 27 November 2023, you advised: 
“I am happy with this.” 
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This was accepted as the revised scope for your part of the request. 
 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
  (a) withdraw their part of the request, 
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or 
(c)  notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the 
request. 
 
Decision 
 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
 
Relevantly to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have also consulted colleagues 
in the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch (CXB) and the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your part of the request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by CXB and BSB.  
 
BSB were engaged to undertake searches for final talking points sent via the diplomatic 
cable system. As of 17 October 2023 (the date range specified in your revised request) these 
talking points were at version 28 (averaging 10 pages per document and an estimate of 280 
pages to be examined to determine if any of the talking points are in scope).  
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for diplomatic cables more generally and 
were provided with the following parameters: 
 
•  a date range of 7 October 2023 to 17 October 2023, and 
 
•  key word search terms of: 
  •  “de-escalation”, and 
•  “ceasefire” 
 
Searches completed by BSB identified 35 items within the search parameters. 
 
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Additionally, CXB were engaged to undertake searches of the department’s parliamentary 
document management systems for relevant ministerial submissions and did not find any 
documents relevant to your request. 
 
A manual review of each document would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
 
I am satisfied that the request constitutes a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department’s resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
 
Review 
 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
 
It may be useful to revise your scope as follows:  
 
Talking points sent via diplomatic cable and any other diplomatic cables for the date 
range 7 October 2023 to 17 October 2023 that contain the key words “De-escalation” 
or "Ceasefire" in relation to the current Gaza war that began in October 2023. 
 
We trust this information assists. 
 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). 
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
Thank you for your FOI request dated 21 October 2023 (LEX 9322) in which you sought 
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
"On the 19th October 2023, it was reported by news.com.au that Foreign Minister 
Penny Wong said "Our current assessment is that Israel is not responsible for the 
explosion in a hospital in Gaza.". . 
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING: 
1. I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to investigation reports,
other reports, meeting minutes, correspondence, records of conversation & file notes
held by the  Department of Foreign Affairs that were used by the Foreign Minister in
making the assessment
2. I also require all the draft versions of all these documents."
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
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Combining your request 
 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
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Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
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8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI. 
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
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I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688  
November 2023   
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
 
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
 
I refer to your request dated 21 October 2023 (LEX 9322) in which you sought access under 
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
 
"On the 19th October 2023, it was reported by news.com.au that Foreign Minister 
Penny Wong said "Our current assessment is that Israel is not responsible for the 
explosion in a hospital in Gaza.". . 
 
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING: 
 
1. I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to investigation reports, 
other reports, meeting minutes, correspondence, records of conversation & file notes 
held by the Department of Foreign Affairs that were used by the Foreign Minister in 
making the assessment 
 
2. I also require all the draft versions of all these documents." 
 
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantial y the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
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That same day you wrote to the department and revised the scope of your part of the 
request to: 
 
“1. I only need the documents requested from 17th October 2023 - 19th October 
2023 
 
2. I only require those documents about the Al- Ahli Arab Hospital bombing that 
occurred on the 17th October 2023. I do not require documents about any other 
hospital bombing.” 
 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
  (a) withdraw their part of the request, 
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or 
(c)  notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the 
request. 
 
Decision 
 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
 
Relevantly to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have also consulted colleagues 
in the Business Solutions Branch (BSB) and Cyber Security and Networks Branch (CRB) who 
have assisted in estimating resource demands of your part of the request. Searches for 
potential y relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB and CRB.  
 
BSB were engaged to undertake searches for diplomatic cables and were provided with the 
following parameters: 
 
•  a date range of 17 October 2023 to 19 October 2023, and 
 
•  key word search terms of: 
  o  “Al- Ahli Arab Hospital” 
o  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
o  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital”. 
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Searches completed by BSB identified 12 items within the search parameters.  
 
Additionally, CRB were engaged to undertake department wide searches for emails and 
were provided with the following search parameters: 
  •  a date range of 17 October 2023 to 19 October 2023, and 
 
•  key word search terms of:  
 
o  "Al-Ahli Arab Hospital"   
o  "Hospital explosion" 
o  "hospital bombing" 
o  "Al-Ahli" AND "Hospital". 
 
Searches completed by CRB identified 37,939 items within the search parameters. 
 
A manual review of each document would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
 
I am satisfied that even if your request was not combined with the 12 other requests, your 
request would stil  constitute a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s 
resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
 
Note that, even if a manual review of each document was undertaken, the department 
would not be able to identify documents that were used by the Foreign Minister. Only 
documents that were provided to the Foreign Minister. 
 
Review 
 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
 
We trust this information assists. 
 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act).  
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
Thank you for your FOI request dated 25 October 2023 (LEX 9358) in which you sought 
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
“any briefing materials prepared for the foreign minister about humanitarian or war 
law relating to Israel's retaliation against Hamas since October 6.” 
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
Combining your request 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
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“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
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3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
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8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI.   
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
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Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
I refer to your request dated 25 October 2023 (LEX 9358) in which you sought access 
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
“any briefing materials prepared for the foreign minister about humanitarian or war 
law relating to Israel's retaliation against Hamas since October 6.” 
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
On 23 November 2023 you wrote to the department and stated: 
“I would like to significantly reduce and alter the scope of my request. 
Firstly, can I please extend the date range from October 6 to November 23 and only 
request the final version of ministerial briefs sent to the minister regarding Israel 
acting in accordance with international law and any briefs on the same issue that 
required the minister to action it. 
I am happy to completely cut out email chains, diplomatic cables and draft 
documents.” 
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On 27 November 2023 the department responded to you and advised: 
“The right of access applies to documents that exist at the time the FOI request was 
made (paragraph 2.34 of the FOI Guidelines). Your request was made at 4:17pm on 
25 October 2023. This means the date range for your revised request wil  be 6 
October 2023 to 25 October 2023. 
We note the substantial revision to your scope, requiring only the final version of 
ministerial briefs sent to the minister. Noting your request has been combined with 
other requests and your revision, you may wish to consider withdrawing your request 
and making a new request with the revised scope, and larger time frame. 
We note that the consultation period ends tomorrow. If we do not hear from you we 
will take your revised request to be for: 
“October 6 to October 25 and only request the final version of ministerial briefs sent 
to the minister regarding Israel acting in accordance with international law and any 
briefs on the same issue that required the minister to action it.” 
That same day you agreed to the revision of scope as above and did not elect to withdraw 
your request and make a new request. This was therefore accepted as the revised scope for 
your part of the request. 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
(a) withdraw their part of the request,
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or
(c) notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the
request.
Decision 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
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Relevantly to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have consulted colleagues in 
the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch (CXB) who have assisted in estimating 
resource demands of your part of the request. 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by CXB who identified 
15 potential y relevant documents for the period 6 October 2023 to 25 October 2023. 
A manual review of each document would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
Noting your request has been combined with other requests, I am satisfied that the request 
constitutes a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources and 
refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act.  
Review 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
Noting a new request would no longer be combined with other requests, it may be useful 
to revise your scope as follows: 
“October 6 to October 25 and only request the final version of ministerial briefs sent 
to the minister regarding Israel acting in accordance with international law and any 
briefs on the same issue that required the minister to action it.”. 
We trust this information assists. 
Yours sincerely 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). 
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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From:
FOI
To:
FOI FMO
Cc:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: LEX 9365 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 1 November 2023 11:55:20 AM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
LEX 9365 - Your DFAT FOI Request - Notification of Transfer SECUNOFFICIAL.msg
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Many thanks for confirming transfer. As per standard practice I’ve written to the applicant and
let them know you have accepted transfer of the request (attached).
 
Note that the statutory timeframe commenced on 26 October 2023 and a decision is due to the
applicant on 27 November 2023.
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions on next steps. In the
meantime we will close the file on our end.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
From: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 31 October 2023 9:53 AM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
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Cc: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: LEX 9365 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Yes, FMO accepts this transfer request.
Thanks
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, 30 October 2023 4:41 PM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: LEX 9365 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Further to the below, grateful if you could please advise if FMO accepts transfer of this request.
 
Kind regards
s22(1)(a)(ii)
________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Friday, 27 October 2023 9:09 AM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
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Cc: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: LEX 9365 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
 
On 26 October 2023, DFAT received the attached request from s22(1)(a)(ii)
seeking access under the FOI Act to the following:
 
“I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes,
memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the Minister for
Foreign Affairs that references, mentions or alludes to collective punishment in Gaza,
from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI request.”
 
It appears to DFAT that this request is more closely aligned with the functions of the Office of the
Foreign Minister. As such, we would be most grateful if you could confirm whether you would
accept transfer of this request under section 16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.
 
Grateful if you could respond by COB Monday 30 October 2023 confirming your position. If you
confirm acceptance of the  transfer, DFAT will notify the applicant that the request has been
transferred and provide you with that correspondence.
 
Note that we have also received another request from the applicant made on the same terms,
but seeks documents held by the department.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
____________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
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advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
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s22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
FOI
Sent:
Wednesday, 1 November 2023 11:51 AM
To:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
FOI
Subject:
LEX 9365 - Your DFAT FOI Request - Notification of Transfer [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
We refer to your below request dated 26 October 2023, in which you have sought access to documents held by the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).  
 
You have requested access to: 
 
“I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes, memos, ministerial 
submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that references, 
mentions or alludes to collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI 
request.” 
 
Documents which would be the subject of your request would be in the possession of the Office of the Minister for 
Foreign Affairs (FMO).  
 
As such, your request was transferred to the FMO on 31 October 2023 under section 16 of the FOI Act so that that 
they can make a decision on your request for access to their documents.   
 
Your application was received on 26 October 2023, and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request will 
commence from that date.   
 
An officer from the FMO will be writing to you directly concerning your request. 
 
Kind regards  
 
DFAT FOI Team 
_______________________________ 
Freedom of Information Section 
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade  
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn 
 
 
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011) 
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. 
We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging. 
 
 
‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ 
From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
  
Sent: Thursday, 26 October 2023 4:32 PM 
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Information request ‐ Collective punishment of people in Gaza 
 
1
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you 
recognise the sender. 
 
Dear Minister for Foreign Affairs, 
 
BACKGROUND: 
 
On the 26th October 2023, it was reported by the Sky News that Foreign Minister Penny Wong disagreed that 
Palestinians were being collectively punished in Gaza. 
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skynews.com.au%2Faustralia‐
news%2Fpolitics%2Fpolitical‐judgement‐not‐fact‐penny‐wong‐clashes‐with‐jordon‐steelejohn‐over‐israel‐collective‐
punishment‐claim%2Fnews‐
story%2F2ddc8656313c130d1431bd2ddf45c5ce&data=05%7C01%7Cfoi%40dfat.gov.au%7C1f6710bc020549f0600a0
8dbd5e4ef1b%7C9b7f23b30e8347a58a40ffa8a6fea536%7C0%7C0%7C638338951629848200%7CUnknown%7CTWF
pbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000%7C%7C%7C&sd
ata=RyXh%2BQped8e7VEYmXS9AOm79xHGVM8il9r7L694QN5Y%3D&reserved=0 
 
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING: 
 
I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes, memos, ministerial submissions, 
correspondence, talking points held by the Minister for Foreign Affairs that references, mentions or alludes to 
collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI request. 
 
Yours faithfully, 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
s22(1)(a)(ii)
2
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428  
File No: 23/27688  
14 November 2023  
 
 s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email:s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your FOI request dated 26 October 2023 (LEX 9366) in which you sought 
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
 
“On the 26th October 2023, it was reported by the Sky News that Foreign Minister 
Penny Wong disagreed that Palestinians were being col ectively punished in Gaza. 
…  
 
 
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING: 
 
 
I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes, 
memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references, mentions or alludes to 
col ective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI 
request.” 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantially and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
 
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Combining your request 
 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
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Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
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8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI. 
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
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I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688  
November 2023 
 
 s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
 
I refer to your request dated 26 October 2023 (LEX 9366) in which you sought access under 
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
 
“On the 26th October 2023, it was reported by the Sky News that Foreign Minister 
Penny Wong disagreed that Palestinians were being col ectively punished in Gaza. 
 
… 
 
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING: 
 
I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes, 
memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references, mentions or alludes to 
col ective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI 
request.” 
 
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
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On 15 November 2023 you wrote to the department and revised the scope of your part of 
the request to:  
 
“Instead of all documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I 
would instead like the documents provided to the Foreign Minister Penny Wong, 
and/or those documents used to inform her assessment that Palestinians were not 
being col ectively punished in Gaza.” 
 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
  (a) withdraw their part of the request, 
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or 
(c)  notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the 
request. 
 
Decision 
 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
 
Relevantly to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have also consulted colleagues 
in the Crisis Centre, the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch (CXB) and the 
Business Solutions Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your 
part of the request. Searches for potential y relevant documents have been undertaken by 
the Crisis Centre, CXB and BSB.  
 
BSB were engaged to undertake searches for talking points, within which the Foreign 
Minister’s Office was a recipient. As of 26 October 2023 (the date of receipt your request) 
the talking points were at version 47 (averaging 10 pages per document and an estimate of 
470 pages to be examined to determine if any of the talking points are in scope).  
 
The Crisis Centre were engaged to undertake searches for documents and located 8 
documents, total ing 73 pages, comprising Question Time Briefs and Senate Estimate Briefs. 
 
Additionally, CXB were engaged to undertake searches of the department’s parliamentary 
document management systems for briefing documents sent to the Foreign Minister and 
did not find any documents relevant to your request.  
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A manual review of each document identified would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
 
Additional y, I consider the documents obtained to date to be a conservative estimate as the 
Cyber Security and Networks Branch have not been re-engaged to undertake searches for 
potential y relevant emails. 
 
I am satisfied that your request constitutes a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department’s resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
 
Note that, even if a manual review of each document was undertaken, the department 
would not be able to identify documents that were used by the Foreign Minister. Only 
documents that were provided to the Foreign Minister. 
 
Review 
 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
 
It may be useful to: 
  •  limit to a specific type of document, and / or 
•  limit the date range for your request. 
 
We trust this information assists. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.  
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). You may also make a complaint 
to the Australian Information Commissioner about the Department’s actions in relation to 
this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). 
 
Making such a complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a 
separate process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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From:
FOI
To:
FOI
Subject:
RE: LEX 9368 - Request for section 16 transfer - DFAT to Defence [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Friday, 27 October 2023 3:15:21 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
OFFICIAL
 
Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Many thanks for getting back to me so quickly. We will proceed with processing.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@defence.gov.au> On Behalf Of FOI
Sent: Friday, 27 October 2023 3:13 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: LEX 9368 - Request for section 16 transfer - DFAT to Defence [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your email.
 
Defence is currently processing a similar request from the same applicant.
 
With this in mind, can you please seek the applicant’s agreement to have the request transferred
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to Defence. If the applicant does not agree, Defence will not accept transfer under section 16 of
the FOI Act.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Assistant Director Freedom of Information Media & Sensitive
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
 
Tel: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
For FOI guidance & information, please visit: Defence FOI
 
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence. Unauthorised
communication and dealing with the information in the email may be a serious criminal offence.
If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the
email immediately.
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Friday, 27 October 2023 10:49 AM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: LEX 9368 - Request for section 16 transfer - DFAT to Defence [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear FOI Colleagues
 
On 27 October 2023, DFAT received the attached request seeking access under the FOI Act to
the following:
 
“copies of emails, memoranda, advice, directives, recommendations, briefs to the
Minister for Defence and/or his office and/or his Department in relation to defence export
permits to Israel issued from 7 October 2023 to date.”
 
It appears to DFAT that this request is more closely aligned with the functions of the Department
of Defence. As such, we would be most grateful if you could confirm whether you would accept
transfer of this request under section 16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.
 
Grateful if you could respond by COB Monday 30 October 2023 confirming your position.
 
If you confirm acceptance of the transfer, DFAT will notify the applicant that that part of the
request has been transferred and provide you with that correspondence.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
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Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)_________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
 
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
FOI
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] FOI request
Date:
Friday, 27 October 2023 10:35:46 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
 
Dear Sir/Madam
 
Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (Cth) I request copies of emails,
memoranda, advice, directives, recommendations, briefs to the Minister for Defence
and/or his office and/or his Department in relation to defence export permits to
Israel issued from 7 October 2023 to date.
 
Yours faithfully
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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From:
FOI
To:
FOI FMO
Cc:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: LEX 9427 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Friday, 3 November 2023 2:44:58 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
LEX 9427 - Your DFAT FOI Request - Notification of Transfer SECUNOFFICIAL.msg
OFFICIAL
 
His22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Many thanks for confirming transfer. Please find attached the notice of transfer just sent to the
applicant.
 
Note that the statutory timeframe commenced on 3 November 2023 and a decision is due to the
applicant on 4 December 2023.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. In the meantime we will
close the file on our end.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)_________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
From: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Friday, 3 November 2023 2:19 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: LEX 9427 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
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Hi s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thanks, we will accept the transfer.
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Friday, 3 November 2023 1:40 PM
To: FOI FMO <xxx.xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: LEX 9427 - s16 Transfer Request - DFAT to FMO [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
On 3 November 2023, DFAT received the attached request from s22(1)(a)(ii)
 seeking access under the FOI Act to the following:
 
- All written communication held within Foreign Minister Penny Wong's office regarding
public comments made by Ministers Ed Husic, Anne Aly or Tony Burke on Israel, Gaza
and/or the Israel-Hamas war.
- Please limit search to October 7-November 3, 2023.
- Please include text messages - such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal - which fall within the
scope of the request.
It appears to DFAT that this request is more closely aligned with the functions of the Office of the
Foreign Minister. As such, we would be most grateful if you could confirm whether you would
accept transfer of this request under section 16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.
 
Grateful if you could respond by COB Monday 6 November 2023 confirming your position. If you
confirm acceptance of the  transfer, DFAT will notify the applicant that the request has been
transferred and provide you with that correspondence.
 
Note that we have also received another request from the applicant made on the same terms,
but seeks documents held by the department.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii) _____________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
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From:
FOI
To:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
LEX 9427 - Your DFAT FOI Request - Notification of Transfer [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Date:
Friday, 3 November 2023 2:43:15 PM
Attachments:
~WRD2676.jpg
image001.jpg
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
We refer to your below request dated 3 November 2023, in which you have sought access to
documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
 
You have requested access to:
 
All written communication held within Foreign Minister Penny Wong's office regarding
public comments made by Ministers Ed Husic, Anne Aly or Tony Burke on Israel, Gaza
and/or the Israel-Hamas war.
Please limit search to October 7-November 3, 2023
Please include text messages - such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal - which fall within
the scope of the request.
 
Documents which would be the subject of your request would be in the possession of the Office
of the Minister for Foreign Affairs (FMO).
 
As such, your request was transferred to the FMO on 3 November 2023 under section 16 of the
FOI Act so that that they can make a decision on your request for access to their documents. 
 
Your application was received on 3 November 2023, and the 30 day statutory period for
processing your request will commence from that date. 
 
An officer from the FMO will be writing to you directly concerning your request.
 
Kind regards
 
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
 
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
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From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Sent: Friday, 3 November 2023 2:00 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] FOI request - Minister's office
 
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Hello, I wish to make the following FOI request:
- All written communication held within Foreign Minister Penny Wong's office regarding public
comments made by Ministers Ed Husic, Anne Aly or Tony Burke on Israel, Gaza and/or the Israel-
Hamas war.
- Please limit search to October 7-November 3, 2023.
- Please include text messages - such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal - which fall within the scope
of the request.
Regards
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688 
14 November 2023 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
Thank you for your FOI request dated 3 November 2023 (LEX 9428) in which you sought 
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
- All written communication - including emails, memos and departmental briefings -
regarding comments Ministers Ed Husic, Anne Aly and Tony Burke have made
publicly on Israel, Gaza and/or the Israel-Hamas war.
- Please limit search to between October 7-November 3, 2023.
- Please exclude text messages such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal.
Notice of intended practical refusal and notice that your requests have been combined 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
Under section 24AA(a)(i) of the FOI Act, for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, a 
practical refusal reason exists in relation to a request for a document if the work involved in 
processing the request, in the case of the agency, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the resources of an agency from its other operations. 
Under section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, the agency may treat two or more requests as a single 
request if satisfied that the request relates to documents, the subject matter of which is 
substantial y the same. 
Combining your request 
Between 9 October 2023 and 3 November 2023, the department received 13 FOI requests 
relating to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, seeking documents within the date range of 
1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
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Paragraph 3.123 of the guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under 
section 93A of the FOI Act provides: 
 
“The most common circumstance in which requests may be combined under s 24(2) is 
likely to be multiple requests from a single applicant. However, s 24(2) can also apply 
to two or more requests from different applicants… Multiple requests can only be 
combined as a single request under s 24(2) if there is a clear connection between the 
subject matter of the requested documents.” 
 
I have considered the scope and date range of al  13 requests received by the department 
and have decided to treat the requests as a single request. In accordance with 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, I am satisfied that the requests relate to documents, the 
subject matter of which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
Further, I am of the view that processing the request, would constitute a substantial and 
unreasonable diversion of the department's resources, for the reasons set out below. 
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with 
section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act so that your request might be processed. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my intention 
to refuse to grant access to the documents captured by your request. 
 
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that the department currently holds 
thousands of documents that are potential y relevant to your request and the work involved 
in processing the request, as it currently stands, would substantial y and unreasonably 
divert the department’s resources from its other operations. 
 
In making this assessment, I have considered how the department could process your 
request and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. To date, over ten 
percent of the workforce has been diverted to respond to the Hamas-Israel Conflict, with 
shifts operating 24/7. Relevant officers working within the department’s crisis response 
centre have been unable to undertake searches or provide advice on sensitivities as a 
priority.   
 
Accordingly, I engaged and have been assisted in this request by in the Business Solutions 
Branch (BSB) who have assisted in estimating resource demands of your request. 
 
Searches for potentially relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB. BSB were 
engaged to undertake searches for emails and were provided with the fol owing search 
parameters: 
  •  a date range of 1 October 2023 to 3 November 2023, 
 
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•  14 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Aid” and “Gaza”  
2.  “Gaza” 
3.  “Col ective punishment” 
4.  “Ceasefire” 
5.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
6.  “Al-Ahli” and “Hospital” 
7.  “Baptist” 
8.  “De-escalation” 
9.  “War crimes” 
10. “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
11. “Ed Husic”, “Anne Aly” and “Tony Burke” 
12. “US assessment” 
13. “intelligence” 
14. “export permits” and “Israel” 
 
•  77 email addresses that had been identified as holding documents. 
  o  This included officers working in the department’s Crisis Centre, 
Humanitarian Division and a group inbox administered by the Media and 
Communications Delivery Branch.  
 
Searches completed by BSB have identified 72,367 items. This estimate is considered to be 
conservative as the searches were confined to the 77 email addresses and do not capture 
multiple areas within the department, both in Australia and overseas, that have been 
identified as potential y holding relevant documents. 
 
BSB were also engaged to undertake searches for cables and were provided with the 
following search parameters: 
  •  8 key word search combinations, being: 
  1.  “Gaza” 
2.  “Col ective punishment” 
3.  “Ceasefire” 
4.  “Hospital explosion”/”hospital bombing” 
5.  “Al-Ahli hospital” 
6.  “De-escalation” 
7.  “War crimes” 
8.  “UNGA vote”/”UNGA abstention”/”A/ES-10/L.25” 
 
•  10 potential to/from locations, including: 
  1.  Canberra 
2.  Tel Aviv 
3.  Ramallah 
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4.  Beirut 
5.  Cairo 
6.  Amman 
7.  Kuwait City 
8.  New York UN 
9.  Geneva UN 
10. Vienna UN 
 
The results returned 494 cables within the date range 7 October 2023 to 3 November 2023. 
 
I have considered the factors outlined in paragraph 3.116 and 3.117 of the FOI Guidelines 
including, but not limited to: 
  •  Identifying, locating or colating documents. 
•  Examining the documents, deciding whether to grant, refuse or defer access. 
•  Consulting with other parties. 
•  Redacting exempt material from the document, making copies of documents. 
•  Notifying an interim or final decision to applicants. 
•  The staffing resources available to an agency for FOI processing. 
•  The impact that processing the request may have on other work in the agency, 
including FOI.   
•  The significant public interest in the documents requested. 
 
I am of the opinion that processing your request in its current form would be a substantial 
and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources under section 24AA(1) of the FOI 
Act. 
 
Consultation to revise the scope of the request 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3.125 of the FOI Guidelines, agencies are obliged to deal 
individual y with each request that is not withdrawn or revised before the end of the 
consultation period. 
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, each applicant has fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of this notice to: 
  (a) withdraw your request; 
(b) revise the scope of your request; or 
(c)  notify the department that you do not wish to revise the scope of your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me by email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, should you wish to revise the request 
in order that it can be processed. 
 
To support your consideration of a revised scope, it may be useful to: 
  •  limit the type of documents sought, and 
•  reduce the date range for your request. 
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Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not take an opportunity to 
consult with the department within 14 days, your request wil  be considered to have been 
withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 24AB(8) of 
the FOI Act for details). 
 
Where I refer to sections of the FOI Act, these are available at www.legislation.gov.au. Parts 
of the FOI Guidelines referenced can be found online at www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-
information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/foi-guidelines. 
 
Yours sincerely  
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
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FOI References: LEX 9207, 9269, 9295, 9321, 9322, 9326, 9346, 
9358, 9366, 9368, 9373, 9419 and 9428 
File No: 23/27688  
November 2023   
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
 
Freedom of Information Request – Refusal under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act 
 
I refer to your request dated 3 November 2023 (LEX 9428) in which you sought access under 
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to: 
  -  All written communication - including emails, memos and departmental briefings - 
regarding comments Ministers Ed Husic, Anne Aly and Tony Burke have made 
publicly on Israel, Gaza and/or the Israel-Hamas war. 
-  Please limit search to between October 7-November 3, 2023. 
-  Please exclude text messages such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal. 
 
On 14 November 2023 I notified you of my intention under section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act to 
refuse to process your FOI request on the grounds that your request would constitute a 
substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s resources. 
 
That same day I also notified you that your request had been combined with 12 other 
requests and would be treated as a single request (the request). Under section 24(2)(b) of 
the FOI Act, I was satisfied that all 13 requests related to documents, the subject matter of 
which is substantially the same, being the Hamas-Israel Conflict. 
 
That same day you wrote to the department and revised the scope of your part of the 
request to: 
 
- All written communication - including emails, memos, cables and departmental 
briefings - regarding comments Ministers Ed Husic and/or Anne Aly have made 
publicly on Israel, Gaza and/or the Israel-Hamas war. 
- Please only include documents which specifically mention one or both of the 
individuals above (Husic and Aly). 
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- Please limit search to documents that deal with the notion that Israel has 
committed war crimes or that residents of Gaza have been subject to col ective 
punishment. 
- Please limit search to between October 19-November 3, 2023. 
- Please exclude text messages such as SMS, WhatsApp and Signal. 
 
Each applicant was consulted separately on the request and had fourteen days from the 
date of receipt of the consultation notice to: 
  (a) withdraw their part of the request, 
(b) revise the scope of their part of the request, or 
(c)  notify the department that they did not wish to revise the scope of their part of the 
request. 
 
Decision 
 
I have considered the terms of your revised request, along with the terms of the other 
revised requests. I am satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists, and that 
processing the request would require a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the 
department's resources. 
 
I am therefore notifying you of my decision to refuse the request, in accordance with 
section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. I have reached this decision based on the complexity and 
voluminous nature of the request. 
 
In refusing the request, I have considered how the department could proceed to process the 
request, and the time and resources that would be involved in doing so. 
 
Relevant to the revised scope of your part of the request, I have also consulted colleagues in 
the Business Solutions Branch (BSB) and Cyber Security and Networks Branch (CRB) who 
have assisted in estimating resource demands of your part of the request. Searches for 
potential y relevant documents have been undertaken by BSB and CRB.  
 
BSB were engaged to undertake searches for diplomatic cables, however no relevant cables 
were identified. 
 
CRB were engaged to undertake department wide searches for emails and were provided 
with the following search parameters: 
  •  a date range of 19 October 2023 to 3 November 2023  
 
•  key word search combinations being: 
  1.  “Ed Husic" OR "Minister Husic" OR "Husic" OR "Minister for Industry and 
Science" AND "Gaza" AND "collective punishment" OR "Israel" AND "war 
crimes". 
 
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2.  "Anne Aly" OR "Minister Aly" OR "Minister for Early Childhood Education" OR 
"Minister for Youth" AND "Gaza" AND "collective punishment" OR "Israel" 
AND "war crimes". 
 
Searches completed by CRB identified 6,552 items for the first key word search combination 
and 2,980 for the second key word search combination. 
 
A manual review of each document would be required to determine whether the 
documents are within the scope of your request, and whether each document contains 
material that would be exempt from release. 
 
I am satisfied that even if your request was not combined with the 12 other requests your 
request would stil  constitute a substantial and unreasonable diversion of the department’s 
resources and refuse your request under section 24(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
 
Review 
 
This decision is subject to review. Your review rights are set out in the Attachment for your 
reference. 
 
Alternatively, you may wish to lodge a fresh FOI request, further revising the scope of your 
request. 
 
We trust this information assists. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Attachment  
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (s54 of the FOI Act). The internal review 
application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary. 
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT  0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (s54L of the FOI Act). 
 
You may also make a complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner about the 
Department’s actions in relation to this decision (s70 of the FOI Act). Making such a 
complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a separate 
process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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From:
FOI
To:
FOI
Cc:
FOI
Subject:
PMC Ref 2023/346 - DFAT LEX 9582 - Request for partial section 16 transfer - DFAT to PM&C
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 22 November 2023 3:30:04 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
image002.jpg
image004.png
EXTERNAL Legal advice prepared since the Hamas attack in October 2023.msg
OFFICIAL
PMC Ref:  FOI/2023/346
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your email below requesting partial transfer of a request under section 16 of the
FOI Act.
 
I can confirm that as per the telephone conversation you had with s22(1)(a)(ii) our FOI Senior
Adviser, in this instance, we feel that the scope of the request is better placed with your
Department.
 
In light of the above, we advise that PMC is unable to accept your partial transfer request but
please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any assistance.
 
Kind regards
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Coordinator | FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. s22(1)(a)(ii)
Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. xxx@xxx.xxx.xx  w. pmc.gov.au
 
The Department acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging
Elders and Traditional Custodians of Country, and the continuation of cultural,
spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
 
 
 
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 21 November 2023 9:57 AM
To: FOI <xxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: LEX 9582 - Request for partial section 16 transfer - DFAT to PM&C
[SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
 
Warning: DKIM Failure. Email authenticity verification failed
Dear FOI Colleagues
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that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
FOI
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] Legal advice prepared since the Hamas attack in October 2023
Date:
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 8:44:40 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Hi, 
My name is s22(1)(a)(ii)
I request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 all correspondence, briefing notes,
and/or legal advice sought by or prepared for the Prime Minister, the Minister for
Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs between October 7 and October 17
concerning the conflict in Israel and Gaza, in particular concerning the legal definition of:
-- What constitutes an act of war
-- What constitutes a war crime
-- What constitutes "collective punishment" under international law
I would like to have digital copies of these documents sent to me at this email
address: s22(1)(a)(ii)
Please exclude duplicates, documents already been publicly released (such as
media releases, reports, articles and or statements to the media).
If emails are captured, please limit to the final thread of the conversation. If
there are multiple briefing notes on the same topic, please limit to the most
recent along with any attachments.
I also agree to having the names and direct contact details of non-senior staff
removed.
If the information I’m seeking exists in one document, I’m happy to limit my
application to just that.
Given the public interest on this topic, I believe a charge should not be
imposed.
If a large number of documents are captured within the scope of this request, I
would be happy to discuss narrowing this request.
Please feel free to let me know if you'd like to discuss this request or discuss
ways to make it more efficient for both of us.
Many thanks, I look forward to hearing from you,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii) on behalf of FOI
To:
FOI
Cc:
FOI
Subject:
RE: LEX 9582 - Request for partial section 16 transfer - DFAT to Defence [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Date:
Friday, 24 November 2023 9:22:01 AM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
UNOFFICIAL
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your email and time on the phone. As discussed, the Department of Defence
(Defence) will decline to accept this transfer.
 
If you have any questions or concerns going forward please let me know.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Assistant Director Freedom of Information 
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
 
Tel: s22(1)(a)(ii) 
 
Freedom of information requests | About | Defence
 
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 21 November 2023 9:39 AM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: LEX 9582 - Request for partial section 16 transfer - DFAT to Defence [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
 
Dear FOI Colleagues
 
On 21 November 2023, DFAT received the attached request seeking access under the FOI Act to
the following:
 
“all correspondence, briefing notes, and/or legal advice sought by or prepared for
the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs
between October 7 and October 17 concerning the conflict in Israel and Gaza, in
particular concerning the legal definition of:
-- What constitutes an act of war
-- What constitutes a war crime
-- What constitutes "collective punishment" under international law”
 
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It appears to DFAT that the part of this request relating to the Minister for Defence is more
closely aligned with the functions of the Department of Defence. As such, we would be most
grateful if you could confirm whether you would accept partial transfer of this request under
section 16(1)(b) of the FOI Act.
 
Grateful if you could respond by COB Thursday 23 November 2023 confirming your position.
Note that we are also seeking partial transfer for the request to the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet.
 
If you confirm acceptance of partial transfer, DFAT will notify the applicant that part of the
request has been transferred and provide you with that correspondence.
 
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Kind regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)_________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
 
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which
legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure
that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
FOI FMO
Cc:
DLO FM;s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
FOI - Documents provided to the FM on what constitutes an act of war, war crime and collective
punishment - Upcoming Decision [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 14 December 2023 5:17:03 PM
Attachments:
LEX 9582 - Decision Letter.pdf
s22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
For information – the department has finalised an FOI request from s22(1)(a)(ii)
 seeking access to:
 
“all correspondence, briefing notes, and/or legal advice sought by or prepared for
the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs
between October 7 and October 17 concerning the conflict in Israel and Gaza, in
particular concerning the legal definition of:
-- What constitutes an act of war
-- What constitutes a war crime
-- What constitutes "collective punishment" under international law”
 
Searches were conducted by the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch, Crisis
Preparedness and Management Branch, Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Branch,
International Law Branch I (ILB) and the MAD Crisis Policy Centre, with documents located by ILB
and the MAD Policy Crisis Centre.
 
The document will be released in part, with material removed due to deliberative material,
substantial adverse effect on the operations of the agency and personal privacy. Irrelevant
s22(1)(a)(ii)  has also been removed.
 
s22(1)(a)(ii) Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch is the decision-maker. The decision letter, and an
audit and redacted copy of the documents are attached.
 
Consultations
 
The FOI Team undertook the following consultations in the preparation of this response, with
responses received from all:
 
Internal
-                      Middle East Branch
-                      General Counsel Branch
-                      International Law Branch
External
-                      N/A
Third party
-                      N/A
 
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We will release the decision to the applicant at 4pm Monday 18 December 2023.
 
I would be pleased to provide any further information.
 
Kind regards,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
A/g Director | Freedom of Information Section 
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
T s22(1)(a)(ii) | M s22(1)(a)(ii)
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
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FOI Reference: LEX 9582 
File Reference: 23/29048  
December 2023 
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii) 
 
Re: Freedom of Information Request 
 
I am writing to provide you with a decision about your request under the Freedom of 
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). 
 
In relation to the part of your request relating to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have 
identified documents relevant to this part of your request and, after careful consideration, I 
have decided to release the documents in part with irrelevant and exempt material removed.  
 
In relation to the part of your request relating to the Prime Minister and the Minister for 
Defence, I have not identified any documents relevant to this part and, after careful 
consideration, I have decided to refuse this part of your request. 
 
Request 
 
On 21 November 2023 you requested access to: 
 
“all correspondence, briefing notes, and/or legal advice sought by or prepared for the 
Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Foreign Affairs between 
October 7 and October 17 concerning the conflict in Israel and Gaza, in particular 
concerning the legal definition of: 
 
-- What constitutes an act of war 
-- What constitutes a war crime 
-- What constitutes "col ective punishment" under international law” 
 
Reasons 
 
I am authorised under section 23 of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to FOI requests 
and have been appointed to be the decision-maker on your request. 
 
In making my decision I have taken into account: 
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•  the terms of your request, 
•  the documents found to be within the scope of your request, 
•  the FOI Act, and 
•  the Guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under section 93A 
of the FOI Act.   
 
Sections of the FOI Act referenced in my decision letter can be found online at 
www.legislation.gov.au. Relevant sections of the FOI Guidelines can be found online at 
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-
government-agencies/foi-guidelines.  
 
The reasons for my decision are set out below. 
 
Documents sought by or prepared for the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence 
 
On 24 November 2023 the department wrote to you and acknowledged your request. In 
doing so the department advised: 
 
“…the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence are responsible for the Department 
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Defence respectively. You 
may wish to consider withdrawing the parts of your request relating to them and 
instead direct those parts of your request to the relevant department.” 
 
You did not respond to this email. 
 
Thorough searches conducted by the department found no documents relevant to the part 
of your request relating to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence. I am therefore 
satisfied that documents do not exist in relation to this part of your request and refuse this 
part of your request under section 24A(1) of the FOI Act. Should these documents exist, it is 
likely they would be held by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the 
Department of Defence. 
 
Documents sought by or prepared for the Minister for Foreign Affairs 
 
Documents subject to deliberative processes (section 47C(1) of the FOI Act) 
 
Under section 47C(1) of the FOI Act, a document is conditional y exempt if it contains 
deliberative matter. Deliberative matter is content that is in the nature of, or relates to: 
  (a) an opinion, advice or recommendation that has been obtained, prepared or recorded, 
or  
(b) a consultation or deliberation that has taken place, in the course of, or for the 
purposes of, a deliberative process of the government, an agency or minister (section 
47C(1) of the FOI Act). 
 
The conditional y exempt material includes content which is in the nature of advice that has 
been obtained and prepared in the context of a deliberative process of the government or 
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the agency. That includes both obtaining and providing advice internal y and subsequently 
providing that advice to the Foreign Minister’s Office.  
 
I am satisfied that the material in question is not operational information (as defined by 
section 8A of the FOI Act) or purely factual material (section 47C(2) of the FOI Act). To the 
extent that the conditional y exempt material might be considered factual, it is inextricably 
intertwined with deliberative material and cannot be practically excised. 
 
Substantial adverse effect on the operations of the department (section 47E(d) of the FOI 
Act)  
 
Under section 47E(d) of the FOI Act, a document is conditional y exempt if disclosure would, 
or could reasonably be expected to, have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and 
efficient conduct of the operations of an agency. A ‘substantial adverse effect’ may be indirect 
(FOI Guidelines, paragraph 6.92). 
 
The conditionally exempt material includes content which, if disclosed, would have a 
substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct on the operations of the 
department, particularly in obtaining, preparing and providing advice to the business area 
(and subsequently the Foreign Minister’s Office) that was working on our response to the 
Hamas-Israel conflict. Disclosure of this material would, or could reasonably be expected to, 
have a substantial adverse effect on the department’s ability to manage the crisis, obtain, act, 
and respond to advice, as well as provide advice efficiently to the Foreign Minister’s Office.  
 
I have decided that material contained within the documents is conditionally exempt under 
section 47E(d) of the FOI Act.  
 
Unreasonable disclosure of personal information (section 47F(1) of the FOI Act) 
   
Under section 47F(1) of the FOI Act, a document is conditional y exempt if disclosure would 
involve the unreasonable disclosure of personal information about any person (including a 
deceased person). 
 
Some material within the documents is conditionally exempt as release would be an 
unreasonable disclosure of the personal information of other individuals (section 47F(1) of 
the FOI Act). In reaching this view, I have also considered each of the factors listed in section 
47F(2) of the FOI Act.  
 
The conditional y exempt material within the documents includes the personal information 
of third parties, in particular Ministerial staffers. I consider that disclosure of the conditionally 
exempt material would constitute an unreasonable disclosure of the third parties’ personal 
information. 
 
For these reasons, I have decided that the relevant material is conditionally exempt under 
section 47F(1) of the FOI Act.   
 
Public interest considerations 
 
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As exemptions under sections 47C(1), 47E(d) and 47F(1) of the FOI Act are conditional, section 
11A(5) of the FOI Act requires access to be granted to a conditional y exempt document 
unless access would, on balance, be contrary to public interest.   
 
In applying the public interest test, I considered the public interest factors favouring 
disclosure set out in section 11B(3) of the FOI Act, which include:   
  (a) promoting the objects of the FOI Act, and 
(b) informing debate on a matter of public importance. 
 
I have also considered the factors against disclosure, including that disclosure could 
reasonably be expected to: 
  (a) prejudice the management function of an agency, and 
(b) prejudice the protection of an individual’s right to privacy. 
 
I have considered these factors and, on balance, find that the disclosure of the conditional y 
exempt material is contrary to the public interest. I find this to be the case for each of the 
conditional exemptions claimed under sections 47C(1), 47E(d) and 47F(1) of the FOI Act. 
 
In forming this view, I have not taken into account any of the irrelevant factors specified in 
section 11B(4) of the FOI Act.  
 
Irrelevant material 
 
Some of the material could reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to your request 
(section 22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act). In determining what is relevant to your request, I have 
taken into account the terms of your request and your statement: 
 
•  I also agree to having the names and direct contact details of non-senior staff 
removed. 
 
As you have stated that you do not require this information, I have decided to remove this 
information from the documents being released to you. 
 
Additional exemption claims 
 
I consider that some material in the documents may also be exempt under section 42(1) of 
the FOI Act (legal professional privilege). However, given the material is conditionally exempt 
under other provisions, this exemption has not been considered further at this time. 
 
Review rights 
 
Information about your review rights is set out in the Attachment for your reference. 
 
 
 
 
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Contact 
 
Should you have any queries regarding this matter please contact the FOI Section by email at 
xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx. 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Assistant Secretary 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Attachment 
 
Internal review 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (section 54 of the FOI Act).  The internal 
review application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
Where possible, please attach reasons you believe review of the decision is necessary.  The 
internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or addressed 
to:  
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton   ACT   0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
You may apply within 60 days of the date of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (section 54L of the FOI Act).  You may also make a 
complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner about the department’s actions in 
relation to this decision (section 70 of the FOI Act).  Making such a complaint about the way 
the department has handled your FOI request is a separate process to seeking review of my 
decision. 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-review-process 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
http://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/foi-complaints 
 
 
 
 
 
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FOI Reference: LEX 9614 
File Reference: 23/28799 
 
15 December 2023 
 
 s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
RE: Freedom of Information Request – notice of intention to refuse request 
I refer to your request received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the 
department) on 22 November 2023, for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 
(the FOI Act) to: 
 
I am seeking any documents including but not limited to records, minutes, agendas, 
lists of attendees, correspondences, meeting invites, time, date and location of any 
meetings. Specifically, meetings held between organisations, individuals, foreign 
government representatives or any other representatives of groups acting in the 
interests of Israel and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and/or the 
ministers office. The timeframe for such meetings is between 7 October 2023 to the 
date of receipt of this FOI request. 
 
I am writing to inform you that the department considers that this request, as currently 
drafted, does not provide sufficient information so as to enable departmental officers to 
identify the documents you seek (see section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act).   
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with section 
24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, so that it might be processed. 
 
Sections of the FOI Act referred to in this notice are accessible at www.legislation.gov.au. 
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my 
intention to refuse to grant access to a document in accordance with your request. I have 
decided that the scope of your request does not provide such information concerning the 
document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the department to 
identify it, and therefore a practical refusal reason exists within the meaning of 
section 24AA(1)(b) of the FOI Act.  
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Opportunity for you to narrow the scope of your request  
 
In accordance with section 24AB(6) of the FOI Act, you have the fol owing options: 
 
a)  withdraw your request, 
b)  revise the scope of your request, or 
c)  advise that do not wish to revise your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me via xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx should you wish to narrow your request to 
enable the department to proceed with your request. 
   
As is currently drafted, your request is very broad in nature and appears to capture every 
overseas Post as well as a significant number of Canberra line areas. To enable 
departmental officers to identify the documents to which you seek access, you may wish to 
specify whether you are seeking documents from Canberra, or from our overseas Posts 
and, if so, identify the relevant locations.   
 
The refence to ‘groups acting in the interests of Israel’ is also too broad to enable the 
department to conduct searches for relevant documents. You may wish to consider 
specifying groups, organisations or individuals you are seeking to capture.   
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act if you do take one of the above 
actions within 14 days, your request wil  be taken to have been withdrawn. 
   
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the FOI Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 
24AB(8) of the FOI Act for details). 
 
Yours sincerely 
 s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director  
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
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FOI Reference: LEX 9615 
File Reference: 23/28798 
 
15 December 2023 
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
RE: Freedom of Information Request – notice of intention to refuse request 
I refer to your request received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the 
department) on 22 November 2023, for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 
(the FOI Act) to: 
 
I am seeking any documents including but not limited to records, minutes, agendas, 
lists of attendees, correspondences, meeting invites, time, date and location of any 
meetings. Specifically, meetings held between organisations, individuals, foreign 
government representatives or any other representatives of groups acting in the 
interests of the occupied Palestinian territories and the Department of Foreign Affairs 
and Trade and/or the ministers office. The timeframe for such meetings is between 7 
October 2023 to the date of receipt of this FOI request. 
 
I am writing to inform you that the department considers that this request, as currently 
drafted, does not provide sufficient information so as to enable departmental officers to 
identify the documents you seek (see section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act).  
 
However, you are welcome to revise the scope of your request in line with section 
24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, so that it might be processed. 
 
Sections of the FOI Act referred to in this notice are accessible at www.legislation.gov.au.  
 
Notice of intended practical refusal 
 
In accordance with section 24AB(2) of the FOI Act, I am providing you notice of my 
intention to refuse to grant access to a document in accordance with your request. I have 
decided that the scope of your request does not provide such information concerning the 
document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the department to 
identify it, and therefore a practical refusal reason exists within the meaning of 
section 24AA(1)(b) of the FOI Act. 
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Opportunity for you to narrow the scope of your request  
 
Pursuant to section 24AB(2)(e) of the FOI Act, you have 14 days from the day you are given 
this notice to: 
 
a)  withdraw your request, 
b)  revise the scope of your request, or 
c)  advise that do not wish to revise your request. 
 
I invite you to contact me via xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx should you wish to narrow your request to 
enable the department to proceed with your request.   
 
As is currently drafted, your request is very broad in nature and appears to capture every 
overseas Post as well as a significant number of Canberra line areas. To enable 
departmental officers to identify the documents to which you seek access, you may wish to 
specify whether you are seeking documents from Canberra, or from our overseas Posts and, 
if so, identify the relevant locations. 
 
The refence to ‘groups acting int the interests of the occupied Palestinian territories’ is also 
too broad to enable the department to conduct searches for relevant documents. You may 
wish to consider specifying groups, organisations or individuals you are seeking to capture.   
 
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act if you do take one of the above 
actions within 14 days, your request wil  be taken to have been withdrawn. 
 
Please also be aware that during this period of consultation, the statutory timeframe under 
section 15(5) of the FOI Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section 
24AB(8) of the FOI Act for details). 
 
 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director  
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
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FOI Reference: LEX 9662 
File Reference: 23/29698 
 
December 2023 
 
 s22(1)(a)(ii)
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
 
RE: Freedom of Information Request 
I refer to your request received by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the 
department) on 30 November 2023 for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 
(the FOI Act) to: 
 
•  All emails sent by Canberra-based staff in the Middle East Branch referencing 
comments made by Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic on 19 October, 2023 
questioning whether residents of Gaza have been subject to collective 
punishment. 
•  Only include emails which explicitly mention the term “col ective punishment” 
and refer to Minister Husic. 
•  Exclude all other forms of communication such as cables, text messages etc that 
aren’t emails. 
•  Include any attachments to emails which fall within the scope. 
•  Please limit scope to emails sent on October 19 or October 20, 2023. 
•  Please do not combine my request with other, much broader requests under 
section 24(2)(b) of the FOI Act, if they merely touch on the same broad subject 
but are not substantially the same in scope. 
 
On 6 December 2023, you consented to a 10-calendar day extension of time under 
section 15AA of the FOI Act. The department notified the Office of the Australian 
Information Commissioner (OAIC) of the extension. 
 
I am writing to provide you with a decision about your request. 
 
Decision 
 
I am an officer authorised under section 23 of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to 
FOI requests and have been appointed to be the decision-maker on your request. 
 
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The Israel-Gaza Taskforce (Taskforce) has been established by the department to manage 
ongoing matters relating to the Israel-Gaza Conflict. The Taskforce sits within the Middle 
East Branch. 
 
Thorough searches conducted by the Taskforce, found no documents matching the 
description of the documents you requested 
 
Searches were undertaken in Microsoft Office for emails containing the keywords ‘Husic’ 
and ‘col ective punishment’ for the period 19-20 October 2023. 
 
After taking al  reasonable steps to find the documents, I am satisfied that they cannot be 
found or do not exist. I therefore refuse your request in accordance with section 24A(1) of 
the FOI Act. 
 
Sections of the FOI Act referenced in my decision can be found online at 
www.legislation.gov.au. 
 
Review rights 
 
Information about your review rights is set out in the Attachment for your reference. 
 
Contact 
 
Should you have any queries regarding this matter please contact the Freedom of 
Information Section by email (xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx). 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
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Attachment 
 
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (section 54 of the FOI Act).   The internal 
review application must be made within 30 calendar days from the day you receive this 
notice. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.   
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to:   
 
Freedom of Information Section 
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT 0221 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply to the Australian Information Commissioner to review my decision 
(section 54L of the FOI Act).  To do this, you must contact the Australian Information 
Commissioner within 60 calendar days from the day you receive this notice. 
 
You may also make a complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner about the 
Department’s actions in relation to this decision (section 70 of the FOI Act).  Making such a 
complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a separate 
process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-
rights/freedom-of-information-reviews. 
 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-rights/freedom-of-
information-complaints. 
 
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 on behalf of FOI
To:
FOI
Cc:
FOI
Subject:
RE: FOI request - Request for transfer - Australian fighters in Gaza war - LEX9726 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Friday, 22 December 2023 12:19:53 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
OFFICIAL
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your email below and apologises for the delay in responding.
 
Defence is not in a position to accept this request under section 16(1) of the FOI Act. If the
applicant is welcome to submit this portion of the request to Defence, the details on how to
submit a request with Defence is contained in the following link: Freedom of information
requests | About | Defence.
 
Thank you and regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Freedom of Information 
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
 
Tel: s22(1)(a)(ii)  
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence. Unauthorised
communication and dealing with the information in the email may be a serious criminal offence.
If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the
email immediately.
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 1:46 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: 20231220 1345 - [FOI]-[FOI] FOI request - Request for transfer - Australian fighters in
Gaza war - LEX9726
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear Department of Defence FOI section
 
On 11 December 2023, the department received a new FOI request, part of which seeks access
to:
 
All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date between the Australian Embassy in Israel, the
Embassy of Israel in Australia, the Gvt of Israel, and the Australian Gvt evidencing 
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2.4.1. The list of defence articles and related technical information that were provided by
Australia to Israel
2.4.2. What military personnel, defence articles and related technical information
Australia has sent to Israel.
2.4.3. A purpose for Australian military involvement other than assisting with the
extraction of Australian citizens.
 
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the department may transfer a request where the
documents are not in the possession of the agency or the subject matter of the document
is more closely aligned with the functions of another agency.
 
I would be grateful if you could please confirm whether your department will accept
transfer of this part of the request as soon as possible. 
 
Please feel free to contact me to discuss further.   
 
 
Kind regards
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch| Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone: s22(1)(a)(ii)   |
    
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which legal professional
privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid
waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message
that do not relate to the official business of Al Jazeera shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by Al Jazeera.
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From:
FOI
To:
"FOI"
Subject:
FOI request - Request for transfer - Australian fighters in Gaza war - LEX9726 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:43:44 AM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
FOI Request - Notice of partial transfer of request - s22(1)(a)(ii)
 - LEX9726 - s22(1)(a)
 SECOFFICIAL.msg
EXTERNAL FOI Request s22(1)(a)(ii)
msg
EXTERNAL RE FOI Request - s22(1)(a)(ii)
 - LEX9712 SECOFFICIAL.msg
OFFICIAL
 
Dears22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you very much for agreeing to the partial transfer of this request.
 
Please see attached:
 
A copy of the original request for documents and
A copy of the notice of partial transfer to the applicant; and
A copy of the applicant’s email agreeing to a 30 day extension of time under section 15AA
of the FOI Act. A decision is therefore due to the applicant on 12 February 2024.
 
Kind regards
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch| Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone: s22(1)(a)(ii)   |
    
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which legal professional
privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid
waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
 
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Wednesday, 20 December 2023 9:53 AM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: FOI request - Request for transfer - Australian fighters in Gaza war - LEX9726
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
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OFFICIAL
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your email.
 
Please note we will accept the part transfer of this FOI request.
 
Please notify the applicant of the transfer and forward us a copy of the correspondence for our
records.
 
Regards
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Position number: s22(1)(a)(ii)
FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Privacy, FOI & Records Management Branch | Legal Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
 
 
 
OFFICIAL
 
 
From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Tuesday, 19 December 2023 1:58 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FOI request - Request for transfer - Australian fighters in Gaza war - LEX9726
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear Department of Home Affairs FOI section
 
On 11 December 2023, the department received a new FOI request part of which seeks access
to:
 
2.7 All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the Australian Gvt or DFAT requesting
Border Force and the AFP not to interfere with Australians seeking to travel to Israel to
serve in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
2.8. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the number of people who, since 7
October 2023 to date, have travelled to:
2.8.1. Israel.
2.8.2. Israel for the purposes of serving in the IDF.
2.9. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
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reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing
2.9.1. information on Australian citizens serving in the IDF.
 
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the department may transfer a request where the
documents are not in the possession of the agency or the subject matter of the document
is more closely aligned with the functions of another agency.
 
I would be grateful if you could please confirm whether your department will accept
transfer of this part of the request as soon as possible. 
 
Please feel free to contact me to discuss further.   
 
 
Kind regards
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Seconded Lawyer |  Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch| Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone: s22(1)(a)(ii)   |
    
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or legal advice over which legal professional
privilege can be claimed. Such privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of the advice, you avoid
waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message
that do not relate to the official business of Al Jazeera shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by Al Jazeera.
Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to
whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and
delete the message and attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may
contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.  
Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities
other than the intended recipient is prohibited.  The Department of Home Affairs, the ABF and
the National Emergency Management Agency respect your privacy and have obligations under
the Privacy Act 1988.  
Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this email.
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2.4.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries,  reports,  and  memos  from  7  October  to  date  between  the  Australian 
Embassy in Israel, the Embassy of Israel in Australia, the Government of Israel, and 
the Australian Government evidencing  
2.4.1. The list of defence articles and related technical information that were provided 
by Australia to Israel 
2.4.2. What  military  personnel,  defence  articles  and  related  technical  information 
Australia has sent to Israel. 
2.4.3. A  purpose  for  Australian  military  involvement  other  than  assisting  with  the 
extraction of Australian citizens. 
2.5.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries, reports, and memos from 7 October 2023 to date evidencing whether 
the  Australian  Government  or  the  Department  of  Foreign  Affairs  and  Trade  have 
sought legal advice in light of unfolding events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian 
Territories on the international or domestic criminal liability of: 
2.5.1. Government Ministers. 
2.5.2. The Australian Government 
2.6.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries,  reports,  and  memos  from  7  October  2023  to  date  evidencing  the 
Australian  Government  and  the  Department  of  Foreign  Affairs  and  Trade 
considering the legality of or otherwise obtaining legal advice on Australians leaving 
Australia to fight with Israel against Hamas or against Palestine. 
2.7.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries,  reports,  and  memos  from  7  October  2023  to  date  evidencing  the 
Australian government or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade requesting 
Border  Force  and  the  Australian  Federal  Police  not  to  interfere  with  Australians 
seeking to travel to Israel to serve in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). 
2.8.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries, reports, and memos from 7 October 2023 to date evidencing the number 
of people who, since 7 October 2023 to date, have travelled to 
2.8.1. Israel. 
2.8.2. Israel for the purposes of serving in the IDF. 
2.9.  All  documents,  correspondence,  cables  briefing  papers,  cabinet  records, 
summaries, reports, and memos from 7 October 2023 to date evidencing  
2.9.1. information on Australian citizens serving in the IDF. 
2.9.2. Information on Australian businesses doing business with  
2.9.2.1. 
the IDF. 
2.9.2.2. 
the Government of Israel. 
2 
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From:
FOI
To:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
FOI Request - Notice of partial transfer of request - s22(1)(a)(ii)
 - LEX9726 - s22(1)(a)
 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 20 December 2023 10:28:17 AM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
image002.jpg
OFFICIAL
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)  
 
Thank you for your email dated 19 December 2023 agreeing to a 30 day extension of time
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. 
 
The purpose of this email is to advise you that part of your request has been transferred to 
the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
 
Under section 16(1) of the FOI Act, the department, with the agreement of the other
agency, may transfer part of the request to the other agency if the subject matter of the
document is more closely connected with the functions of the other agency.
 
Accordingly, on 20 December 2023, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the
department) transferred the following part of your request to DHA: 
 
2.6. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries, 
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the Australian Gvt and DFAT 
considering the legality of or otherwise obtaining legal advice on Australians leaving 
Australia to fight with Israel against Hamas or against Palestine.
2.7 All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries, 
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the Australian Gvt or DFAT requesting 
Border Force and the AFP not to interfere with Australians seeking to travel to Israel to 
serve in the IDF.
2.8. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries, 
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the number of people who, since 7 
October 2023 to date, have travelled to:
2.8.1. Israel.
2.8.2. Israel for the purposes of serving in the IDF.
2.9. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries, 
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing
2.9.1. information on Australian citizens serving in the IDF.  “” The transfer of your 
request does not affect the due date for completion of your request. 
 
You should therefore expect a decision from DHA by 12 February 2024. However, the statutory
period of 30 days may be extended if DHA needs to consult third parties or for other reasons.
DHA will advise you if this happens. 
 
This department will continue to process the remaining part of your request. 
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s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
FOI
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] RE: FOI Request - s22(1)(a)(ii)
 - LEX9712 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 19 December 2023 5:56:45 PM
Attachments:
image002.jpg
image003.jpg
image004.jpg
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Dear DFAT FOI Team,
 
I confirm I agree to that proposed extension.
 
Kind Regards,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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From: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> 
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2023 3:29 PM
To: s22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject: FOI Request - s22(1)(a)(ii)
 - LEX9712 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
 
OFFICIAL
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Thank you for your request dated 11 December 2023 seeking access to documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982.
 
This email sets out some information about how your request will be processed by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
 
Scope of request:
You have sought access to:
 
2.1. All documents, financial statements, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet
records, summaries, reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date ... evidencing whether the
Australian Gvt and DFAT consider the actions of Hamas on 7 Oct. a war crime.
2.2. All documents, financial statements, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet
records, summaries, reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date in possession of DFAT
evidencing the position of the Australian Gvt and DFAT with respect to its previous
objections to the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine.
2.3 All documents, financial statements, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet
records, summaries, reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date between the Australian Gvt,
the DFAT and the Israeli Gvt, the US Gvt, the UN, and the ICC evidencing any process of
investigation, documentation, verification of or compensation for alleged war crimes
occurring in Israel and Gaza.
2.4. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date between the Australian Embassy in Israel, the
Embassy of Israel in Australia, the Gvt of Israel, and the Australian Gvt evidencing
        2.4.1. The list of defence articles and related technical information that were
provided by Australia to Israel
       2.4.2. What military personnel, defence articles and related technical information
Australia has sent to Israel.
      2.4.3. A purpose for Australian military involvement other than assisting with the
extraction of Australian citizens.
2.5. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing whether the Australian Gvt or DFAT
have sought legal advice in light of unfolding events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories on the international or domestic criminal liability of:
       2.5.1. Gvt Ministers.
      2.5.2. The Australian Gvt
2.6. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the Australian Gvt and DFAT
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considering the legality of or otherwise obtaining legal advice on Australians leaving
Australia to fight with Israel against Hamas or against Palestine.
2.7 All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the Australian Gvt or DFAT requesting
Border Force and the AFP not to interfere with Australians seeking to travel to Israel to
serve in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
2.8. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing the number of people who, since 7
October 2023 to date, have travelled to:
       2.8.1. Israel.
      2.8.2. Israel for the purposes of serving in the IDF.
2.9. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. to date evidencing
     2.9.1. information on Australian citizens serving in the IDF.
     2.9.2. Information on Australian businesses doing business with
           2.9.2.1. the IDF.
          2.9.2.2. the Gvt of Israel.
2.10. All documents, correspondence, cables briefing papers, cabinet records, summaries,
reports, and memos from 7 Oct. evidencing the Australian Gvt and DFAT considering
sanctions against Israeli settlers in the West Bank in response to increasing attacks
against Palestinians.
 
Timeframe for receiving our decision:
We received your request on 11 December 2023, and the 30-day statutory period for processing
your request commenced from the day after that date. The period of 30 days may be extended
in certain circumstances.  Due to the upcoming holiday and shutdown period over Christmas and
New Year, we are seeking your agreement to an extension of 30 days to process your request
(under section 15AA of the Freedom of Information Act 1982). We will endeavour to finalise your
matter as soon as possible.
 
We would be grateful if you could please confirm your agreement by return email. Should you
agree to this extension, we will inform the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
(OAIC).
 
Charges:
Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI requests. If applicable, we
will advise you of any relevant charges when we are in a position to estimate the resources
required to process your request.
 
Disclosure log:
Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information), documents released
under the FOI Act may later be published on the department’s disclosure log:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corporate/freedom-of-information/foi-disclosure-log.
 
Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details:
It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all government officials. If you
require the mobile numbers of all government officials, please let us know at xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx so
the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we will take it that you agree to that information
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being excluded from the scope of your request.
 
Personal Information:
If we need to consult with other people or organisations regarding your FOI request, we may
need to disclose your personal information (e.g. your name).  When we consult it may be
apparent that you have made a request, even if we do not disclose your identity.  Please let us
know if you have any concerns in this regard.  The department’s privacy policy is available at
dfat.gov.au/privacy.html.
 
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us by return email
at xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
 
Kind regards
 
 
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
 
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging
From: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Sent: Monday, 11 December 2023 2:50 PM
To: FOI <xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] FOI Request s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Dear Sir/Madam
 
Please refer to the FOI Request for the Department’s urgent attention.
 
Yours faithfully,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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s22(1)(a)(ii)
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From:
s22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
FOI
Subject:
[EXTERNAL] FOI Request s22(1)(a)(ii)
Date:
Monday, 11 December 2023 2:50:26 PM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
Freedom of Information Application to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (11122023).pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Dear Sir/Madam
 
Please refer to the FOI Request for the Department’s urgent attention.
 
Yours faithfully,
s22(1)(a)(ii)
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FOI Reference: LEX 9788 
File No: 23/32804  
January 2024 
 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
By email: s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
 
 
Dear s22(1)(a)(ii)
 
Re. Freedom of Information Request 
 
The purpose of this letter is to give you a decision about access to documents that you 
requested under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 
 
On 17 December 2024 you requested access to: 
 
“- any assessment, discussion, evaluation, deliberation or consideration of the risk or 
likelihood of any Australian official being investigated or prosecuted by the 
International Criminal Court in connection with any acts or omissions by Australian 
officials relating to Israel's actions in Gaza since 7 October 2023; and 
 
- any assessment, discussion, evaluation, deliberation or consideration of the risk or 
likelihood of any Australian official being investigated or prosecuted for war crimes in 
connection with any acts or omissions by Australian officials relating to Israel's 
actions in Gaza since 7 October 2023. 
 
The above should be construed to include legal advice and/or advice to any 
Government Minister. 
 
Without limiting the above, the purpose of this request is to understand whether your 
department has considered whether any Australian officials could become liable for 
war crimes in connection with Australia's support of Israel's actions in Gaza since 7 
October 2023. 
 
Please exclude any personal or business information from any documents within 
scope of the above.” 
 
I am authorised under section 23 of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to FOI 
requests and have been appointed to be the decision maker on your request. 
 
 
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Thorough searches conducted by the Cabinet, Ministerial and Parliamentary Branch, the 
International Law Branch, the Israel-Gaza Taskforce and Middle East Branch found no 
documents relevant to your request.  
 
After taking al  reasonable steps to find documents, I am satisfied that they cannot be 
found or do not exist. I therefore refuse your request under section 24A(1) of the FOI Act.  
 
Your review rights are attached for your reference. 
 
Should you have any queries regarding this matter please contact the FOI Section by email 
to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx 
 
Yours sincerely 
 
s22(1)(a)(ii)
A/g Director 
Freedom of Information Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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DFAT FOI - DECLASSIFIED - RELEASED UNDER FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX9870
Attachment 
 
Your review rights 
 
Internal review 
 
You may apply for internal review of the decision (section 54 of the FOI Act). The internal 
review application must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
 
Where possible, please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary. 
 
The internal review will be carried out by another officer within 30 days. 
 
Any request for internal review should be directed via email to xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
addressed to: 
 
Freedom of Information Section  
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 
R G Casey Building 
John McEwen Crescent 
Barton ACT 2600 
Australia 
 
Australian Information Commissioner 
 
You may apply within 60 days of receipt of this letter to the Australian Information 
Commissioner to review my decision (section 54L of the FOI Act). 
 
You may also make a complaint to the Australian Information Commissioner about the 
Department's actions in relation to this decision (section 70 of the FOI Act). Making such a 
complaint about the way the Department has handled your FOI request is a separate 
process to seeking review of my decision. 
 
Further information on applying for an Australian Information Commissioner review is 
available at: https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/freedom-of-information-
guidance-for-government-agencies/freedom-of-information-reviews/internal-review-
process 
Further information about how to make a complaint is available at: 
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-information-
rights/freedom-of-information-complaints/make-an-foi-complaint 
 
 
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