Ref: FOI 2016/17-17
Mr James Smith
via email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Smith
I refer to your request of 19 September 2016, for access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
(FOI Act) to:
‘
1. Current social media policy of the department, which covers departmental use and/or private
use by employees in an individual capacity.
2. Any current guidance material which is available for employees to make informed decisions
about their private social media use’.
Decision to grant access to documents
I am authorised to make decisions under the FOI Act and my decision is set out below.
The department has in its possession three internal documents that fall within the scope of your
request:
Document 1
Guideline: Use of social media (instructional material)
Document 2
Using social media (factsheet)
Document 3
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Guideline on use of social
media (intranet document)
I have decided that all documents are appropriate for release. I have enclosed copies of the documents.
Further, the department’s Social Media Policy is a public document and is available
at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/jobs/benefits-conditions/policy.
I have decided there will be no charge for processing your request.
Publication of information in the FOI disclosure log
Information released under the FOI Act may be published in a disclosure log on the department’s
website at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/accessing-information/foi/disclosure log. I have
decided that it would be reasonable to publish the documents released to you.
Review rights
If you are dissatisfied with the searches we did to locate documents related to your request or decision
about material that is irrelevant to your request, you may apply for internal review or an Information
Commissioner review of the decision. We encourage you to seek internal review as a first step as it
may provide a more rapid resolution of your concerns.
T +61 2 6272 3933
18 Marcus Clarke Street
GPO Box 858
agriculture.gov.au
F +61 2 6272 5161
Canberra City ACT 2601
Canberra ACT 2601
ABN 24 113 085 695
If you wish to seek an internal review, you must apply to the department within
30 days after the day
you are notified of this decision. An application for internal review must be made in writing. No form is
required but it is helpful if you set out the grounds on which you consider that the decision should be
reviewed. Your application for an internal review should be sent via email to xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx,
or to:
FOI Officer
Department of Agriculture
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA CITY ACT 2601.
Alternatively, you may apply directly to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
to review my decision. An application for review by the Information Commissioner must be made in
writing within
60 days after the day you are notified of this decision. You can also make a complaint to
the Information Commissioner if you have concerns about how the department handled your
request. You can find information about requesting a review, making a complaint, and other
information about FOI on the OAIC website www.oaic.gov.au . You can also phone the OAIC on
1300 363 992.
Contact details
Should you wish to discuss any issues arising from this letter, please contact FOI Officer
Melissa Nickols on 02 6272 3537 or email xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
[signed]
Melissa Brown
A/g Assistant Secretary
Parliamentary and Portfolio Business Branch
Corporate Strategy and Governance Division
18 October 2016
2