Dear Allan

 

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (the department) has received your Freedom of Information request of 6 December 2020 (attached).

 

This correspondence is to acknowledge receipt of your request. Currently a decision is due to you by 5 January 2020. However, this timeline may be effected by the requirement to undertake consultation with affected third parties or if the department determines you are liable to pay a charge in relation to your request. You will be notified by the department if charges are liable or if third party consultation is required.

 

Personal information

 

For documents that fall within the scope of the request, it is the practice of the department to withhold:

 

·       the names, signatures and contact details of junior staff; That is:

o   Commonwealth staff who are not in the Senior Executive Service (SES); and

o   Ministerial staff below the level of Chief of Staff; and

·       the mobile phone numbers of SES officers.

 

The names and other details of SES officers will be released unless the information is exempt from disclosure.

 

Confirmation from you that you are not seeking ‘personal information’ (ie. the names and contact details of any individuals, or any information that could reasonably identify an individual) may enable a more timely and cost effective processing of your request.

 

Therefore, could you please clarify if you a seeking access to personal information in the documents relating to:

·       third parties; and

·       Commonwealth staff.

 

If you are not seeking access to any personal information, you can simply reply to this email with ‘no personal information requested’.

 

If you are seeking access to specific types of personal information, could you please specify.

 

Request for extension of time

 

Please note that the department shuts down from 25 December 2020 to 4 January 2021.

 

To assist in the processing your request, we seek your agreement to a 10 day extension under section 15AA of the FOI Act. If you agree to this extension, the department will notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner of the extension of time, and the decision on your request would then be due to you on or before  15 January 2020.

 

Could you please confirm your agreement to this extension at your earliest convenience but no later than 18 December 2020.

 

If you have any questions, please contact the FOI team.

 

Regards

 

FOI Team

Legal, Audit and Assurance | Corporate & Digital

GPO Box 2013, Canberra ACT 2601

Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources | www.industry.gov.au

 

Supporting economic growth and job creation for all Australians

 

Legal In Confidence - This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me immediately by telephone and delete copies of this transmission together with any attachments.

 

 

OFFICIAL