Department Reference: FOI 1996
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 29 September 2020 to the Department of Health (the
department) seeking access under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the Act)
to the following:
Documents comparing health outcomes between children that have received vaccines
and children that have never received any vaccines.
On 22 October 2020, the department wrote to you seeking clarification of the scope
of your request and requesting an extension of time to process your request.
On 26 October 2020, you responded, agreeing to an extension of 14 days for
processing your request, and advising that you were seeking access to:
A copy of the documents in the Department's possession which compare the health
outcomes between children that have received vaccines and children that have never
received any vaccines.
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 in
response to your request.
Appropriate steps have been taken to find the documents referred to in your request
as revised by your email of 26 October 2020, including consultation with relevant
departmental officers and searches of departmental file management systems.
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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I am satisfied, on the basis of the consultation undertaken and the searches
conducted, that the department does not hold the documents you have requested.
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 undertaken by another
officer of the department within 30 days of receipt of your application.
An application for an internal review can 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. An
application for review must be made in writing within 60 days of this notice (if you
do not request an internal review).
You may also make a complaint to the OAIC about action taken by the department
in relation to your application.
The OAIC can be contacted by:
Email:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Phone:
1300 363 992
More information about OAIC review and making a complaint is available on the
OAIC website:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/reviews/
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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
Additional information
While the department does not hold the documents you have requested, I can
provide the following information outside the Act, which I trust will be of assistance
to you.
The department’s website hosts information on a range of health related topics,
including immunisation.
The
Immunisation coverage data, surveys and reports site provides a wide ranging
coverage of Australian Immunisation data, including data relating to childhood
immunisation:
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/childhood-
immunisation-coverage/immunisation-coverage-data-surveys-and-reports
Information about the National Immunisation Program, which was set up by the
Commonwealth and state and territory governments in 1997, aims to increase
national immunisation coverage to reduce the number of cases of diseases that are
preventable by vaccination in Australia:
https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/national-immunisation-
program
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 & Legislation Branch
30 October 2020
