Department Reference: FOI 1848
Jaay-H
Via email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Jaay-H
NOTICE OF DECISION: UNDER SECTION 24A
OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
I refer to your request of 23 July 2020 to the Department of Health (department)
seeking access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to the
following documents:
A copy of the document listing the number of COVID-19 decedents who passed away with
co-morbidities recorded in Part II of their medical cause of death certificates.
I am writing to advise you of my decision.
FOI decision
I am authorised under subsection 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to
Freedom of Information requests. I am writing to notify you of my decision on your
request.
All reasonable steps have been taken to find the documents referred to in your request
including consultation with relevant policy and program areas, thorough searches of
departmental file management systems, electronic documents on shared and personal
drives and departmental data bases, and individual and group email accounts.
I am satisfied the consultation undertaken and the searches conducted were thorough
and all reasonable steps have been taken to locate documents relevant to your request.
I am satisfied the documents referred to in your request do not exist.
As a consequence, relying on section 24A of the FOI Act, I cannot provide access to
any of the documents you requested.
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
FOI review rights
If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you may apply for an internal review or
Australian Information Commissioner (Information Commissioner) review of the
decision.
Internal review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you may apply in writing to the department for an
internal review of my decision. The internal review application must be made within
30 days of the date of this notice (or such further period as the department allows).
Where possible please provide reasons why you consider review of the decision is
necessary. The internal review will be carried out by another officer of this department
within 30 days.
An application for an internal review should be addressed to:
Email:
xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
OR
Mail:
FOI Unit (MDP 516)
Department of Health
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Information Commissioner Review
Under section 54L of the FOI Act, you may apply to the Information Commissioner to
review my decision. An application for review must be made in writing within 60
days of this notice (if you do not request an internal review).
The Australian Information Commissioner can be contacted by:
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Phone: 1300 363 992
More about the Information Commissioner review is available on the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) website at:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews/.
You may also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner about action taken
by the department in relation to your application. Further information can be obtained
from the OAIC website.
Relevant provisions of the FOI Act
The FOI Act, including the provisions referred to in this letter, can be accessed from
the Federal Register of Legislation website:
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020C00110
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
Additional information
While the department does not hold the documents you have requested, I can provide
the following information which I trust will be of assistance to you.
Publicly available information about COVID-19 deaths
The internet hosts a range of information about COVID-19, including deaths and
recovery rates. For example, information about case numbers, deaths and cases
around the world is available on the World Health Organisation website here:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
The department’s website hosts information, including Australian statistics about
COVID-19. The
Coronavirus (COVID-19) current situation and case numbers site, which
provides regular updates on COVID-19 cases, including information about the
number of COVID-19 related deaths by state and territory. That webpage can be
accessed here:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-
2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-current-situation-and-case-numbers
Requesting access to a death certificate
While the department supports the Australian community’s access to health services,
it is not involved in the direct delivery of these services and does not usually hold
personal health records, death certificates or other similar documents.
Death certificates are generally held by the Births, Deaths and Marriages authority in
the relevant state or territory. Information about requesting copies of death certificates
can generally be found on the website of the Births, Deaths and Marriages authority in
the state or territory in which the death occurred.
Contacts
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this letter you should
contact Freedom of Information Unit on (02) 6289 1666 or at
xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx. Yours sincerely
K Bishop
Principal Lawyer
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
12 August 2020
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
