If not delivered return to PO Box 7820 Canberra BC ACT 2610
22 January 2020
Our reference: LEX 50114
Ms Julie Middleton
Only by email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx Dear Ms Middleton
Freedom of Information Request - Charges
I refer to your request dated 19 December 2019 and received by the Department of Human
Services (
department) on the same date, for access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
(
FOI Act), made in the following terms:
‘Centrelink uses data-matching programs and when Centrelink changes its records, the
client's ATO records are automatically changed. When Centrelink changes past financial
year records, it will change the ATO records after a previous years Taxation return has been
finalised. The client's myGov records are also adversely impacted.
The data-matching program may also change the records on the Department's
Compensation Management System. This would result in lost revenue because incorrect
figures are provided to law firms prior to claims being settled.
I am seeking copies of the following:
1) a document that states the name of Centrelink's data-matching program and explains the
connecting relationship with other government Departments programs;
2) a User Guides (or similar instruction manual) that explains how to prevent errors from
occurring;
3) all audit reports that have identified errors relating to the data-matching programs;
4) any documents the explain how to correct errors - when identified by a client. Electronic
Accounts Payable files for the past payments would have the same data as shown on a
client's bank statement; i.e. the actual payment. Depending on how many programs are
adversely impacted, manually checking those Accounts Payable records may be the only
option.’
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Preliminary Assessment of the Charge
In accordance with section 29 of the FOI Act, I have decided that you are liable to pay a charge for
the processing of your request. My preliminary assessment of that charge is $25.50 calculated as
follows:
Search and retrieval time: 1.70 hours, at $15.00 per hour:
$25.50
Decision-making time (*after deduction of 5 hours): 0 hours, at
$20.00 per hour
$0.00
TOTAL
$25.50
*The FOI Act provides that the first five hours of decision-making time are free of charge and this is reflected in the
calculation.
I am advised that the department has in its possession 8 documents relevant to your request.
Required Action
If you would like the department to continue processing your request, you must notify the
department in writing within 30 days of receiving this notice that you:
a) agree to pay the charge;
b) wish to contend that the charge:
i. has been wrongly assessed; or
ii. should be reduced or not imposed; or
iii. both
Alternatively, you may wish to withdraw your request for access.
If you do not provide a written response in accordance with one of options a) or b) above within 30
days of receiving this notice, your request will be taken to have been withdrawn under section 29(2)
of the FOI Act.
Further information on options a) and b) are set out below.
Option a) - pay the charge
As the charge exceeds $25, you are required to pay a deposit of $20.00 within 30 days of receiving
this notice. You may, of course, elect to pay the charge in full at this point.
You may select from one of the following payment methods:
1. Online payment via Government EasyPay - follow
this link and enter the relevant details.
You will need your FOI LEX reference number,
LEX 50114; or
2. Cheque made out to the Collector of Public Monies and posted to Freedom of Information,
Department of Human Services, PO BOX 7820, Canberra BC, ACT 2610; or
3. Money order made out to the Collector of Public Monies and posted to Freedom of
Information, Department of Human Services, PO BOX 7820, Canberra BC, ACT 2610.
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Department of Human Services
Further payment option
On 20 December 2019, you requested the department retain a money order in the amount of
$60.00, which you provided in relation to a preliminary estimate of charges for a separate FOI
request. You requested that the department hold the amount of $60.00 in credit for future FOI
requests made by you. As of the date of this letter, the department holds $60.00 in credit.
If you elect to pay the charge, please email
xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx to advise us
of your payment. Alternatively, please advise whether you authorise the department to deduct the
deposit amount of $20.00, or the full amount of $25.50, from the $60.00 held in credit. Please quote
reference number
LEX 50114 in this correspondence.
Option b) - seek reduction or non-imposition of the charge
You may contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed, or should be reduced or not
imposed. Section 29(5) of the FOI Act provides that, in deciding whether to reduce or not to impose
a charge, the decision-maker must take into account any relevant reasons, including whether
payment of the charge, or part of it, would cause you or your organisation financial hardship, and
whether the giving of access to the documents is in the general public interest or in the interest of a
substantial section of the public.
If you wish to contend that the charge has been wrongly assessed or should be reduced or not
imposed, please set out your reasons and the evidence in support of your reasons as clearly as
possible. If you believe that payment of the charge would cause you or your organisation financial
hardship, please provide sufficient details of your financial circumstances to enable the
decision-maker to make a well-informed decision in this regard.
Time limits for processing your request
Section 31 of the FOI Act provides that where a notice is sent to an applicant regarding the payment
of a charge in respect of a request, the time limit for processing the request is suspended from the
date the notice is received until either:
a) the day following payment of the charge (in full or the required deposit); or
b) if applicable, the day following the notification to the applicant of a decision not to
impose the charge.
Address for correspondence
Please send all correspondence regarding your FOI request to me at the following address:
Freedom of Information team
Department of Human Services
PO Box 7820
CANBERRA ACT 2610
Or by email to
xxx.xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx.
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. Section 11C of the FOI Act requires this publication, subject to certain exceptions,
including where publication of personal, business, professional or commercial information would be
unreasonable.
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Department of Human Services
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
PAGE 4 OF 4
Department of Human Services
