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Department Reference: FOI 1947
Mr Reason
Via email
: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Reason
NOTICE OF DECISION UNDER SECTION 24A
OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
I refer to your request of 31 August 2020 to the Department of Prime Minister and
Cabinet, transferred to the Department of Health (the department) seeking access
under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the Act) to the following documents:
America's Centre for Disease Control updated provisional death counts for COVID-
19 based on death certificate data received and coded by the National Center for
Health Statistics as of August 26, 2020.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm#Comorbidities
COVID-19 was recorded as the only cause of death in around 6% of the recorded
cases.
We would like a copy of the document showing how many of Australia's COVID-19
attributed fatalities passed away with at least one serious comorbidity.
FOI Decision
I am authorised under subsection 23(1) of the Act to make decisions in relation to
Freedom of Information requests. I am writing to notify you of my decision on your
request.
Appropriate steps have been taken to find the documents referred to in your request
including searches of departmental file management systems.
I am satisfied, on the basis of the searches conducted, that the documents referred to
in your request do not exist.
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
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As a consequence, relying on section 24A of the Act, I cannot provide access to the
documents you requested.
FOI review rights
If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you may apply for a review.
Internal review
Under section 54 of the 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).
To assist in the internal review process, please provide reasons you consider review
of my decision is necessary. The internal review will be carried out by another officer
of this department within 30 days of receipt of your application.
An application for an internal review should be sent to:
Email:
xxx@xxxxxx.xxx.xx
Mail:
FOI Unit (MDP 516)
Department of Health
GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Information Commissioner review
Alternatively, under section 54L of the Act, you may apply to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) for review of my decision by the
Information Commissioner. An application for review must be made in writing
within 60 days of this notice (if you do not request an internal review).
More information about Information Commissioner reviews is available on the
OAIC website at:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews/
The OAIC can be contacted by:
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Phone: 1300 363 992
You may also make a complaint to the OAIC about action taken by the department
in relation to your application. Further information about this process is available on
the OAIC website.
Relevant provisions of the Act
The 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/C2020C00246
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
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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.
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
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System co-ordinates the national
surveillance of more than 50 communicable diseases or disease groups in Australia.
Under this scheme, notifications are made to the States or Territory health authority
under the provisions of the public health legislation in their jurisdiction. Summary
data for each State and Territory from 1991 to the present is available at the
following link:
http://www9.health.gov.au/cda/source/cda-index.cfm
In addition, 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
Contacts
If you require clarification of any of the matters discussed in this letter you should
contact the department’s 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
26 September 2020
Freedom of Information Unit (MDP 516) GPO Box 9848 Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6289 1666 ABN: 83 605 426 759
