1 August 2017
In reply please quote:
FOI Request FA
17/07/00782 File Number: ADF
2017/78803 Asher Hirsch
Via: the
Right to Know website
Sent via email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Hirsch
Notice under s.24AB of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
I am writing to you in relation to your request under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the
Act) on 24 July 2017 for:
"During Senate Estimates on 27 February 2017, the Department outlined it's new visa
risk assessment digital capability. In particular, the Senate Estimates report notes
that:
The department provided an update on its new visa risk assessment digital capability,
an analytics intelligence program that uses 'predictive analytics, parameters, profiling
[and] algorithms' to consolidate and analyse data in order to assess risk across entire
visa classes. At a cost of $100 million, it is anticipated that the program will be rolled
out in a pilot form this year to assess risks against selected visa categories.
I request all documents related to this new visa risk assessment digital capability, the
analytics intelligence program, and the pilot that will be rolled out this year.."
I note that your request is currently due on 24 August 2017.
Purpose of this notice
The purpose of this notice is to advise you (as required under s.24AB of the Act) that
I consider that a '
practical refusal reason' exists under s. 24AA of the Act and that I am
considering refusing access to the documents in the form requested, as provided under s.24
of the Act. My reasons are set out in this notice. You are invited to contact me to alter or
narrow the scope of your request to ensure that no 'practical refusal reasons' apply.
Advice regarding practical refusal reasons
The Act contains two 'practical refusal reasons'. The first is that processing the request
'
would substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the agency from its other
operation' (s.24AA(1)(a)).
6 Chan Street Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 25 BELCONNEN ACT 2616 • Telephone: 02 6264 1111 • Fax: 02 6225 6970 • www.border.gov.au
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An agency may also refuse an FOI request if the agency is satisfied that the request does
not '
provide such information concerning the document as is reasonably necessary to enable
a responsible officer of the agency to identify' the document in question (s.24AA(1)(b)).
It is the Department’s view that where it appears that a request under the Act for access to
documents is likely to take more than 40 hours to complete, the request should be assessed
under s.24AA(1) of the Act to determine if a practical refusal reason exists in relation to the
request. This balances the rights of applicants to seek information under the Act with the
Departments need to appropriately allocate resources to its functions.
Application of s.24AA of the FOI Act to your request
It is my view that the request, as it currently stands, satisfies the first practical refusal reason
because it would take an unreasonable amount of time to assess the documents.
I have been advised that over 3,000 pages of documents have been produced for the Visa
Risk Assessment cabinet process alone.
In calculating the processing time of this sample of documents at approximately five minutes
per page, which includes ensuring all documentation has been sourced, compiling a
schedule of documents and assessing and applying redactions, I estimate that it would take
in excess of 250 hours to process the sample alone.
This estimate of documents does not include the following categories of documents, which I
have been advised there are also substantial amounts:
• Information Communication Technology (ICT) architectural documents
• ICT specification documents
• Project documentation
• Reports and briefings to various sources relating to the Visa Risk Assessment.
As a result, I am satisfied that your request
would substantially and unreasonably divert the
resources of the Department from its other operations. Therefore, I am unable to progress
your request until I have consulted with you on its scope.
Possible ways to reduce Scope
In order to reduce the scope of your request you may wish to consider specifying a particular
period of time (such as a few weeks), breadth of topic and/or the types of documents you are
requesting. I regret that the Department is not in a position to divert resources to prepare a
listing of the documents identified to date as this would take several days.
Consultation over scope
You may consult with me on the scope during the
consultation period which is from the
date on this notice until close of business
15 August 2017.
You may request that I extend the consultation period if you wish, by writing to me before the
end of the consultation period at xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx, (s.24AB(5)).
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Please note that s.24AB(8) of the FOI Act provides the legislated processing time for your
request is 'suspended' until you have either:
• revised the request or
• withdrawn the request or
• advised me that you do not intend to revise the request.
If you do not contact me in writing before the end of the consultation period (to either
withdraw your request, revise or affirm the scope of your request, or ask for an extension of
time to respond to the s.24AB notice) your request will be deemed to be withdrawn in
accordance with s.24AB(7) of the Act.
I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours sincerely
Authorised FOI Decision Maker
Freedom of Information Section
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Email: xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx