1. All records describing the isolation of a SARS-Cov-2 virus, from the period of 1st of January 2019 to date.
Date: 29-10-2021
Ref: FOI291021-1
Dear University of Melbourne,
Please find my request under F.O.I
1. All records describing the isolation of a SARS-Cov-2 virus, from the period of 1st of January 2019 to date.
-To clarify, I am requesting all such records that are in the possession, custody or control of the University of Melbourne (for example: downloaded to a computer, printed in hard copy, etc.)
2.Proof of the existence of Covid-19(SARS-COV-2 virus) by isolating it from the period of 1st of January 2019 to date by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and or the Melbourne Hospital as joint research and studies between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. any sources made available to the University of Melbourne or relied on by the University of Melbourne whether locally obtained or sourced from internationally.
3. All records and data from who the University of Melbourne relies upon and receives data from those various reputable laboratories who utilise a range of scientifically-proven techniques to test and report on the existence and presence of SARS-CoV-2 in provided samples.
4.The existence of SARS-CoV-2 as scientifically proven and demonstrated by many renowned scientific organisations and publications around the world. and the findings of this public research as well as relevant resources, both Australian and international,
5. All data and information the University of Melbourne relies on for the existence of the Sars-Covid-2 virus both Australian and International in the University of Melbourne possession.
6. Please note I am using “isolation” in the every‐day sense of the word: the act of separating a thing(s) from everything else.
I am not requesting records where “isolation of SARS‐COV‐2” refers instead to:
‐ the culturing of something, or ‐ the performance of an amplification test (i.e. a PCR test), or ‐ the sequencing of something. ‐ To clarify, I am requesting all such records that are in the possession, custody or control of the University of Melbourne (for example: downloaded to a computer, printed in hard copy, etc.) and or provided to the University of Melbourne from all sources including International that the University of Melbourne relies on for the existence of Sars- Covid- 2 and including joint research conducted by the University of Melbourne in conjunction with The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity as a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
7. All data, documents, findings and relevant resources including scientific material both Australian and International that the University of Melbourne has in its' possession.
8. All data and scientific evidence and or findings of research and findings by the University of Melbourne as provided, found conducted or obtained from all sources including joint research with the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the Melbourne Hospital and any other organisations obtained both locally and Internationally in the possession of the University of Melbourne.
Yours faithfully,
George Parastatidis
Dear George,
Thank you for your email. Do you have a direct email address or phone number you are comfortable providing us? It is often helpful for us to be able to contact you directly to discuss your request and if we need to clarify anything with you.
In the meantime we will make preliminary enquiries and come back to you with further advice as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Information Regulation I Information Governance Services I Legal and Risk
The University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Victoria, Australia
E: [email address] T: +61 3 903 54268
Dear foi-officer,
Hi
Thanks for your message, you can reply to my request through this method.
Yours sincerely,
George Parastatidis
Dear George,
I have made preliminary enquiries regarding your request and write to advise that the wording of your request would require clarification before it could proceed. However, we can provide the following information outside the FOI Act to satisfy your request.
Regarding your request for records describing the isolation of a SARS-Cov-2 virus – the research paper linked here has been identified as potentially of interest and value to you (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full...). The paper describes the first isolation and sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in Australia and rapid sharing of the isolate.
Regarding the existence of SAR-CoV-2 as scientifically proven, this can be obtained through a search of publicly available databases. The Freedom of Information Act does not apply to publicly available documents. A list of available resources can be found here:
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/article... - this is an early publication describing development of PCR test based on genomic sequencing. Genomics provides the rationale for understanding that SARS-CoV-2 exists.
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-0... - this is a good case study of how genomics is used to identify variants and case lineage in Australia and elsewhere.
After consideration of the above, should you still wish to proceed through the formal FOI process, please advise me and I will send you information about applicable fees and charges, timeframes, and other requirements.
Kind regards,
Information Regulation I Information Governance Services I Legal and Risk
The University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Victoria, Australia
T: +61 3 903 54268
Dear foi-officer,
Hi
Thank you for your response so far, could you please advise what clarification of the wording do you require?
Yours sincerely,
George Parastatidis
Dear George,
Please find attached formal acknowledgment of your request detailing information about the FOI process and applicable fees.
As discussed yesterday, if you have any specific questions regarding our initial response, please don’t hesitate to send them via email as we may be able to provide further information outside of the FOI process.
Kind regards,
Information Regulation I Information Governance Services I Legal and Risk
The University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus, Victoria, Australia
T: +61 3 903 54268
This email and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. The University does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this email is received in error, please delete it and notify us by return email.
Dear foi-officer,
Thank you for your reply. I believe your answers and the information provided by you so far should be sufficient and would like to close this request now.
I appreciate your efforts and thank you for your time regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely,
George Parastatidis