FOI Reference: LEX 12919
File Reference: 25/28756
September 2025
Oral B
(Right to Know)
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Oral B
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 29 September 2025 for access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
(the FOI Act) to:
Under the foi act 1982, i am asking for documents held by dfat from 20 september
2025 to 27 september 2025 about racism against people of african descent in
employment
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 access to the documents captured by your request.
The reason for the proposed practical refusal is that your request does not satisfy the
requirement in section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act to provide such information concerning the
document as is reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the department to
identify it (section 24AA(1)(b) of the FOI Act).
Having reviewed your request, I am of the view that you have not provided sufficient
information to al ow the department to identify the documents you seek as we have been
unable to identify any relevant line areas within Australia or any overseas Embassies or High
Commissions with that may be tasked with searching for documents.
Sections of the FOI Act referred to in this notice are accessible at www.legislation.gov.au.
Consultation to revise the scope of the 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,
R G Casey Building John McEwen Cres Barton 0221
DFAT.GOV.AU
T
+61 2 6261 1111
@DFAT
b. revise the scope of your request in such a way that enables officers of the
department to identify areas of the department that can be tasked to undertake
search for relevant documents, or
c. inform the department that you do not wish to revise your request.
I invite you to contact me (via xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx) should you wish to revise the request in
order that it may be processed. I am happy to take any reasonable steps to provide you, as
far as is reasonably practicable, with any information to assist you in doing so.
In your consideration of a revised scope, you may wish to consider providing further
information regarding
“racism against people of African descent in employment”.
For example, do you mean:
• Racism against people of African descent reported by DFAT staff to the People
Culture Branch; or
• Racism reported by contracting companies that provide services to the department
about people of African descent; or
• Racism reported to the department by Australians at a particular overseas Embassy
or High Commission about people of African descent; or
• Racism and racial discrimination in employment generally in Australia.
You may also consider:
• Clarifying the term “employment” in the context of your request; and
• Specifying the types of documents you are seeking; or
• Providing any further information to assist with the department’s searches.
Please note that under section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, if you do not
consult the contact
person during the consultation period, make a revised request or indicate that you do / do
not wish to revise the scope of your request, your request will 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 FOI Act for the processing of your request is on hold (see section
24AB(8) of the FOI Act for details).
Contact
Should you have any queries regarding this decision please contact the Freedom of
Information Section by email: xxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Aaron Briggs
A/g Director
Freedom of Information Section
