If not delivered return to PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610
23 May 2017
Our reference: LEX 29265
Mr Keith Owen
By email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx Dear Mr Owen
Acknowledgement of your Freedom of Information Request – Revised Scope
I refer to your request dated 23 April 2017 and received by the Department of Human
Services (the
department) on the same day, for access under the
Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (the
FOI Act) to the following documents:
‘1. The number of payees prosecuted for fraud or making false statements by the
Child Support Arm of the Department of Human Services over the last 12 months.
2. The number of payees prosecuted for fraud or making false statements by the
Child Support Arm of the Department of Human Services over the last 12 months.
3. The number of actual referrals made by the Child Support Arm of the Department
of Human Services to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions over the
last 12 months.
4. The number of Employees of the Child Support Arm of the Department of Human
Services referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions over the last
12 months.
5. The number of Employees of the Child Support Arm of the Department of Human
Services found to have committed fraud or making false statements and
subsequently disciplined as a result.
With respect, this data carries a high level of public interest to ensure the public are
aware that the proper administration of a major Government Department is carried
out and to ensure the spirit of the law is observed in that it acts as a deterrent for
members of the public for committing crimes.’
An acknowledgement letter was sent to you on 1 May 2017 advising that you could expect a
decision from us by 23 May 2017.
The processing time was suspended during a period of consultation under section 24AB. The
initial consultation letter was sent to you on 9 May 2017. On the same day you replied to the
consultation with further information regarding your request. On 15 May 2017 I emailed you
with a proposed revised scope based on the information you had provided in your email of 9
May 2017. You agreed with this proposed revised scope on 16 May 2017. Therefore the
processing period for your request recommenced on 17 May 2017.
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As the period of consultation occurred as above, you can now expect a decision from us by
31 May 2017.
On 22 May 2017 I sent you a further email clarifying your request and you responded on the
same day. I have not taken this additional correspondence to be part of the consultation
period under section 24AB and therefore it did not affect the due date for your request.
You revised your request to be for the following documents:
1. The number of payees prosecuted for fraud or making false statements by the Child
Support Arm of the Department of Human Services over the last 12 months.
2. The number of payers prosecuted for fraud or making false statements by the Child
Support Arm of the Department of Human Services over the last 12 months.
3. The number of actual referrals made by the Child Support Arm of the Department of
Human Services to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions over the last
12 months.
4. The number of Employees of the Child Support Arm of the Department of Human
Services referred to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions over the last
12 months.
5. The number of Employees of the Child Support Arm of the Department of Human
Services who have been:
a. investigated for potential breaches of the Australian Public Service Code of
Conduct with respect to: administrative fraud, payment fraud or for
unauthorised access/use of customer information, and have been disciplined
as a result, in the last 12 months.
b.
how many of those employees identified have been referred to the
Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions, for the purpose of a
prosecution, in the last 12 months.
The department will advise you if a charge is payable to process your request and the
amount of any such charge as soon as practicable.
The processing time may be extended if we need to consult third parties or for other reasons.
We will advise you if this happens.
Further assistance
If you have any questions please ema
il xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Charlotte
Authorised FOI Decision Maker
FOI and Litigation Branch | Legal Services Division
Department of Human Services
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Department of Human Services
