If not delivered return to PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610
6 February 2017
Our reference: LEX 25011
Mr Jackson Gothe-Snape
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Gothe-Snape
Your Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request received by the Department of Human Services (the
department) on 6
January 2017 for access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the
FOI Act) to the
following documents:
‘Can you please provide the successful policy proposal from the department for
Taskforce Integrity and any emails or meeting notes concerning the drafting of that
proposal’.
Based on the wording of your request, I cannot identify the documents you want. I am asking
you to give me specific details about the information you are after. If you decide not to give
this information, I will have to refuse your FOI request as a 'practical refusal reason' exists.
For a more detailed explanation of what this means see Attachment A.
How to send us a 'revised request'
Before I make a final decision on your request, you can submit a revised request.
Within the next 14 days (consultation period) you must do one of the following, in writing:
withdraw the request
make a revised request, or
tell us that you do not want to revise your request.
If you do not do contact us during the consultation period, we will assume you do not want to
continue with your request. See Attachment A for relevant sections of the FOI Act.
If you decide to make a revised request you should be specific about what documents you
actually want. This could help the department find the documents.
Note: You may want to access the department's online services at
www.humanservices.gov.au to immediately find some of the personal information and
documents included in your original request.
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We have 30 days to give you a decision about your request, however the time taken to
consult with you now is not included in this 30 day time period.
Contact officer
I am the contact officer for your request. During the consultation period you are welcome to
ask for my help in revising your request and filling out the form. You can contact me:
by phone on the number below - if you are calling long-distance you are welcome to
reverse the charges
in writing to the address at the top of this letter
via email to xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Note: When you contact us please quote the reference number
FOI LEX 25011.
Your response will be expected by
14 February 2017. If no response is received, your
matter will be taken as withdrawn.
Further assistance
If you have any questions please email xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Authorised FOI Decision Maker
Freedom of Information Team
FOI and Litigation Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
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Department of Human Services
Attachment A
What I took into account
I am not able to reasonably identify what documents you want because, based on the
precise wording of your request, it is unclear what documents are intended to be sought by
the use of the phrase “policy proposal”. We have been instructed by the relevant line areas
within the department that no such documents exist that relate strictly to Taskforce Integrity.
Under sections 24AA(1)(b) and 24 of the Freedom of Information Act, I intend to refuse your
FOI request as a 'practical refusal reason' exists. Under the Act, the practical refusal reason
is that your request does not satisfy the requirements in paragraph 15(2)(b) (identification of
documents).
Relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
Section 24AA(1)(b) of the FOI Act provides that a practical refusal reason exists in relation to
a request for a document if the request does not satisfy the requirement in section 15(2)(b) of
the FOI Act.
Section 15(2)(b) of the FOI Act provides that a request must provide such information as is
reasonably necessary to enable the agency to identify the documents that are being
requested.
Section 24AB(7) of the FOI Act provides that the request is taken to have been withdrawn
under at the end of the consultation period if:
the applicant does not consult the contact person during the consultation period in
accordance with the notice, or
the applicant does not do one of the things mentioned in subsection (6) before the
end of the consultation period.
Section 24AB(7) (subsection 6) says that the applicant must, before the end of the
consultation period, do one of the following, by written notice to the agency or Minister:
withdraw the request,
make a revised request, or
indicate that the applicant does not wish to revise the request.
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Department of Human Services