FOI Documents 39 53.pdf

111
From:
COVID19
To:
Media Unit
Subject:
RE: Media enquiry_s. 22
_staff arrangements [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Sunday, 29 March 2020 5:54:00 PM
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F
The response has been cleared by the APSC.
Thanks,
s. 47F
From: Media Unit
Sent: Sunday, 29 March 2020 5:33 PM
To: COVID19
Cc: Media Unit
Subject: RE: Media enquiry_s. 22
_staff arrangements [SEC=OFFICIAL]
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Hi s. 47F
Please see the below response for your clearance by 7pm.
We take the health and safety of our employees and our obligations to supporting the
community very seriously.
The ATO enacted its business continuity management framework for COVID-19 on 29
January 2020.
Since activating the framework the ATO has implemented measures such as:
· increasing the number of staff working from home, including providing priority
access to those staff considered to be in higher risk group. The number of staff
working from home has steadily increased over the last week to more than 9,000,
s. 22
Following the success of our Remote Desktop Access pilot, we now have the capacity to
have significantly more our staff working from home. We expect to see more staff
transition into working from home arrangements, where appropriate.
s. 22
Kind regards,

113
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by
persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in severe
penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the Privacy Hotline of the
Australian Taxation Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this transmission
together with any attachments.
**********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

116
s. 22

118
Hi all,
Given the nature of this media query having specific agency questions, the APSC won’t be coordinating an APS
response to the journalist. However, we would like to help by providing some APS-wide messaging that could
accompany individual agency responses.
Please see links to the latest updates from the APSC this evening:
· Media statement from the APSC Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO, Updated guidance on staff working
from home arrangements<https://www.apsc.gov.au/news/media-releases/updated-guidance-staff-working-
home-arrangements> (published 29 March 2020)
· Circular 2020/03: COVID-19 - Remote working and evolving work
arrangements<https://www.apsc.gov.au/circular-20203-covid-19-remote-working-and-evolving-work-
arrangements> (updated 29 March 2020)
Please let us know if you need anything further.
Thanks,
s. 47F
Australian Public Service Commission
Level 4, B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
e: xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx<mailto:xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> w: www.apsc.gov.au<http://www.apsc.gov.au/>
[three hexagons][twitter icon]<https://twitter.com/PublicServiceAU> [facebook icon]
<https://www facebook.com/AusPublicService/>

122
s. 22

123
s. 22

125
s. 22

127
From:
Jeremy Moore
To:
Spaccavento, Marco
Subject:
RE: Union action foreshadowed [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 3 December 2020 12:31:14 PM
Attachments:
image004.png
image009.jpg
image012.jpg
image013.jpg
image014.png
image001.jpg
image002.png
image003.jpg
Hi Marco,

s. 22
s. 47E

Jeremy

From: Spaccavento, Marco <xxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Thursday, 3 December 2020 12:15 PM
To: Jeremy Moore <xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: FW: Union action foreshadowed [SEC=OFFICIAL]

** This is an external email – exercise caution **
OFFICIAL
Hi Jeremy

s. 22

Thanks
Marco

Marco Spaccavento
Assistant Commissioner, Workplace Relations and APSC COVID-19 Taskforce

Australian Public Service Commission
B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
t: 02 6202 3703 w: www.apsc.gov.au

129
Subject: Union action foreshadowed [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Good morning Pat,

Brad Chapman asked I pass on the attached email for your information, as the action may attract
some media attention or may have implications for some other agencies.

s. 47E

Unsurprisingly we hold a different view, in that the COVID working from home arrangements:
were put into place to comply with Government directions and to protect our staff
(therefor not really a mutual agreement – a key requirement of the EA);
covered classes of employees that are not covered by the ATO EA;
were always designed to be temporary and short term; and
utilised completely different processes than our “normal” work from home agreements.
s. 42
s. 47E
If you or your staff would like any further information I would be happy to provide.

Regards,

Jeremy

Jeremy Moore
Assistant Commissioner | Workplace Relations
Phone: 02 6216 3603 | Mobile: s. 47F

ATO | Working for all Australians

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation

130
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

131
From:
COVID19
To:
s. 47F
Cc:
COVID19
Subject:
RE: Update to previous information provided to the COO committee [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 16 June 2020 11:48:48 AM
Attachments:
image001.png
image005.png
image008.png
image009.png
image010.png
image011.jpg
image013.jpg
image014.jpg
image003.jpg
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F,
Thank you for your email and apologies for the delay in reply.
The link to ATO advice on tax deductibility of home office expenses is now published in two spots on the APSC Covid landing page.
Firstly, under ‘Latest Updates’ at https://www.apsc.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19.
Secondly, on the resources page under the link ‘Advice to agencies’ at https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-home-during-covid-19-
advice-agencies.
We’ve linked to the ATO webpages, rather than the PDF. This means that if the ATO updates content on their website we don’t run
the risk of having an out of date PDF on our website. The web content is a duplicate of the content in the PDF.
s. 22
Happy to discuss if you have any questions.
Thanks,
s. 47F
Australian Public Service Commission
Level 4, B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
s. 47F

From: s. 47F

Sent: Wednesday, 10 June 2020 5:13 PM
To: COVID19
Cc: s. 47F

Subject: RE: Update to previous information provided to the COO committee [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hi s. 47F
You helped us out a month ago in updating content on your website for work related expenses during COVID-19.
s. 47E
Regards
s. 47F
ATO. Working for all Australians
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respect to them and their cultures, and elders past, present and future.
From: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 11 May 2020 9:39 AM

133
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

134
From:
s. 47F
To:
COVID19
Cc:
s. 47F
Subject:
RE: Update to previous information provided to the COO committee [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Date:
Monday, 11 May 2020 10:32:20 AM
Attachments:
image002.png
image003.jpg
image006.jpg
image007.jpg
image008.png
image009.png
image010.png
image011.png
image001.jpg
Thanks for your speedy assistance s. 47F
Cheers
s. 47F
From: COVID19
Sent: Monday, 11 May 2020 9:39 AM
To: s. 47F

Cc: s. 47F
; COVID19
Subject: RE: Update to previous information provided to the COO committee
[SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Hi s. 47F
Thanks for letting us know about the required update. The APSC webpage has been updated.
All the best,
s. 47F
Australian Public Service Commission
Level 4, B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
e: xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx w: www.apsc.gov.au

From: s. 47F

Sent: Friday, 8 May 2020 6:02 PM
To: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s. 47F
Subject: Update to previous information provided to the COO committee [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Hi APSC
Not sure if you’re the right area to content to update content on your website.
s. 47E
Is it possible to get the link on this page:

135
https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-home-during-covid-19-advice-agencies
Updated to our web content:
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/COVID-19/Support-for-individuals-and-employees/Employees-
working-from-home/
The factsheet is correct, however only refers to the two options for calculating WFH expenses.
There isn’t a plan to update all our WRE fact sheets for individual occupations to reflect the 80c
working from home shortcut as they are designed for ‘normal’ tax time and are intended to have
longevity beyond certain financial years.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Regards
s. 47F
ATO. Working for all Australians
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respect to them and their cultures, and elders past, present and future.
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________

136
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

137
From:
Media Unit
To:
COVID19
Cc:
Media Enquiries; Media Unit
Subject:
RE: URGENT -s. 22
- ASU claims [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 9 December 2020 12:05:18 PM
Attachments:
image003.png
image005.jpg
image001.jpg
Thanks team, I will respond to the journalist shortly. Appreciate you looking at this quickly for
me.


s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media

From: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, 9 December 2020 10:59 AM
To: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>; COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media Enquiries <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: URGENT - s. 22
- ASU claims [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F

Thank you for sending this through, the response has been approved on our end.

Kind regards,

Conditions Policy
Workplace Relations Group

Australian Public Service Commission
B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
w: www.apsc.gov.au

CONFIDENTIAL

This email may contain sensitive or confidential information.  Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may
adversely affect enterprise bargaining in your agency or enterprise bargaining in other agencies.

You must not use or disclose this email or attachments other than for the purposes for which they were supplied, without the
express written permission of the APSC.  Please consult the APSC if access to this email is requested under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.

139
To be attributed to an ATO spokesperson

The COVID19 pandemic represents an emergency situation, so further to advice from the Chief
Medical Officer, the ATO implemented emergency working from home arrangements for over
14,500 of our staff and has also implemented social distancing guidelines for those employees
who are still coming in to the office.
As a demonstration of their resilience, commitment and flexibility, many thousands of our
employees quickly and temporarily changed roles to help de iver COVID19 stimulus measures for
the community and we thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication.
The ATO has responded to the COVID19 pandemic with actions that have put the health and
safety of all our employees at the very centre of our every action – and this is reflected in
positive feedback that our people continue to provide to us. We have been very successful in
delivering incredibly important outcomes for the Australian community while also keeping all of
our staff safe in these challenging times. Those efforts, and the flexibility we have shown as an
organisation, are because of the great work and support of our people.
Contrary to claims of a brush off the ATO has remained committed to working with staff and
staff representatives throughout the emergency situation, including multiple meetings with
unions each week to ensure any staff concerns were identified and dealt with appropriately. This
approach has had great support and input from staff and representatives who, on the whole,
remain appreciative of the efforts of the ATO and committed to supporting the community as
best they can.
As the matter is with Federal Court we will not comment any further.

s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________

140
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

141
From:
COVID19
To:
Media Unit; COVID19
Cc:
Media Enquiries
Subject:
RE: Urgent media enquiry - ASU Litigation -s. 22
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 16 December 2020 2:52:06 PM
Attachments:
image001.png
image002.jpg
image004.jpg
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F

Thank you for sending this through. Approved on our end.

Kind regards,

Conditions Policy
Workplace Relations Group

Australian Public Service Commission
B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
w: www.apsc.gov.au

CONFIDENTIAL

This email may contain sensitive or confidential information.  Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may
adversely affect enterprise bargaining in your agency or enterprise bargaining in other agencies.

You must not use or disclose this email or attachments other than for the purposes for which they were supplied, without the
express written permission of the APSC.  Please consult the APSC if access to this email is requested under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.

Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may constitute a breach of the APS Code of Conduct, a breach of regulation
2.1 of the Public Service Regulations 1999 or a breach of section 122.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Unless otherwise stated, any advice and commentary contained within this email is for the purposes of assisting agencies in their
compliance with the Government’s Workplace Bargaining Policy 2018, previous bargaining policies, and/or any legislation
administered by the APSC. This is not legal advice.

The privilege or confidentiality attached to this message and attachments is not waived by reason of mistaken delivery to you.  If
you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, retain, forward or reproduce this message or any attachments.  If
you receive this message in error please notify the sender by return email or telephone and destroy and delete all copies.

From: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, 16 December 2020 2:28 PM
To: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media Enquiries <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Urgent media enquiry - ASU Litigation - s. 22
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

142
Importance: High
Hi team
s. 22
has sent us the following enquiry about the ASU Litigation
against the ATO. The below response is consistent with the response we have s. 22
the other day and has been approved internally in the ATO.
Action required
Can you please provide your approval by 3:30pm AEDT (2:30pm QLD time)
Thanks
s. 22
Proposed response
To be attributed to an ATO spokesperson:
The COVID19 pandemic represents an emergency situation, so further to advice from the Chief
Medical Officer, the ATO implemented emergency working from home arrangements for over
14,500 of our staff and has also implemented social distancing guidelines for those employees
who are still coming in to the office.
As a demonstration of their resilience, commitment and flexibility, many thousands of our
employees quickly and temporarily changed roles to help deliver COVID19 stimulus measures for
the community and we thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication.
The ATO has responded to the COVID19 pandemic with actions that have put the health and
safety of all our employees at the very centre of our every action – and this is reflected in
positive feedback that our people continue to provide to us. We have been very successful in
delivering incredibly important outcomes for the Australian community while also keeping all of
our staff safe in these challenging times. Those efforts, and the flexibility we have shown as an
organisation, are because of the great work and support of our people.
Contrary to claims of a brush off the ATO has remained committed to working with staff and
staff representatives throughout the emergency situation, including multiple meetings with
unions each week to ensure any staff concerns were identified and dealt with appropriately. This
approach has had great support and input from staff and representatives who, on the whole,

143
remain appreciative of the efforts of the ATO and committed to supporting the community as
best they can.
As the matter is with Federal Court we will not comment any further.
s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

144
From:
Media Unit
To:
COVID19
Cc:
Media Enquiries; Media Unit
Subject:
RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal Court of Australia
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Monday, 7 December 2020 4:55:02 PM
Attachments:
image002.png
image003.jpg
image001.jpg
image005.jpg
Thanks very much
s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media
From: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 7 December 2020 3:53 PM
To: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>; COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media Enquiries <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
- ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal
Court of Australia [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F
Thank you for forwarding this. The response has been approved on our end.
Kind regards,
Conditions Policy
Workplace Relations Group
Australian Public Service Commission
B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
w: www.apsc.gov.au
CONFIDENTIAL
This email may contain sensitive or confidential information. Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may
adversely affect enterprise bargaining in your agency or enterprise bargaining in other agencies.

145
You must not use or disclose this email or attachments other than for the purposes for which they were supplied, without the
express written permission of the APSC.  Please consult the APSC if access to this email is requested under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may constitute a breach of the APS Code of Conduct, a breach of regulation
2.1 of the Public Service Regulations 1999 or a breach of section 122.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Unless otherwise stated, any advice and commentary contained within this email is for the purposes of assisting agencies in their
compliance with the Government’s Workplace Bargaining Policy 2018, previous bargaining policies, and/or any legislation
administered by the APSC. This is not legal advice.
The privilege or confidentiality attached to this message and attachments is not waived by reason of mistaken delivery to you.  If
you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, retain, forward or reproduce this message or any attachments.  If
you receive this message in error please notify the sender by return email or telephone and destroy and delete all copies.
From: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 7 December 2020 4:10 PM
To: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>; Media Enquiries <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
- ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal
Court of Australia [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hi team
Here is our proposed response to s. 22
, for your urgent approval. It has been approved by our
COO
s. 22
Proposed response
To be attributed to an ATO spokesperson
The COVID19 pandemic represents an emergency situation, so further to advice from the Chief
Medical Officer, the ATO implemented emergency working from home arrangements for over
14,500 of our staff and has also implemented social distancing guidelines for those employees
who are still coming in to the office.
As a demonstration of their resilience, commitment and flexibility, many thousands of our
employees quickly and temporarily changed roles to help deliver COVID19 stimulus measures for

146
the community and we thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication.
The ATO has responded to the COVID19 pandemic with actions that have put the health and
safety of all our employees at the very centre of our every action – and this is reflected in
positive feedback that our people continue to provide to us. We have been very successful in
delivering incredibly important outcomes for the Australian community while also keeping all of
our staff safe in these challenging times. Those efforts, and the flexibility we have shown as an
organisation, are because of the great work and support of our people.
The ATO has remained committed to working with staff and staff representatives throughout the
emergency situation and had great support and input from staff and representatives who, on the
whole, remain appreciative of the efforts of the ATO and committed to supporting the
community as best they can.
As the matter is with Federal Court we will not comment any further.
s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media
From: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 7 December 2020 3:09 PM
To: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
- ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal
Court of Australia [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Great, thanks s. 47F
Kind regards,
Conditions Policy
Workplace Relations Group
Australian Public Service Commission
B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
w: www.apsc.gov.au
CONFIDENTIAL

147
This email may contain sensitive or confidential information.  Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may
adversely affect enterprise bargaining in your agency or enterprise bargaining in other agencies.
You must not use or disclose this email or attachments other than for the purposes for which they were supplied, without the
express written permission of the APSC.  Please consult the APSC if access to this email is requested under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
Unauthorised disclosure of the information in this email may constitute a breach of the APS Code of Conduct, a breach of regulation
2.1 of the Public Service Regulations 1999 or a breach of section 122.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Unless otherwise stated, any advice and commentary contained within this email is for the purposes of assisting agencies in their
compliance with the Government’s Workplace Bargaining Policy 2018, previous bargaining policies, and/or any legislation
administered by the APSC. This is not legal advice.
The privilege or confidentiality attached to this message and attachments is not waived by reason of mistaken delivery to you.  If
you are not the intended recipient, you must not use, disclose, retain, forward or reproduce this message or any attachments.  If
you receive this message in error please notify the sender by return email or telephone and destroy and delete all copies.
From: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 7 December 2020 4:04 PM
To: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Media Enquiries <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
- ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal
Court of Australia [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hi team
The response has been s. 42
and the band 2 SES for ATO
People. It is currently with our COO for approval. I have negotiated an extension until 5:30pm
AEDT with the journalist so I will get it to you asap for approval.
Thank you
s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media
From: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 7 December 2020 3:03 PM
To: Media Unit <xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>; COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Media Enquiries
<xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: Urgent media enquiry - s. 22
- ASU - ASU versus Jordan and Others, Federal
Court of Australia [SEC=OFFICIAL]

149
We will send our response to you for approval once it has been approved internally. I note the
journalist has a deadline of 4pm AEDT today.

Thanks
s. 22

s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
Media line 02 621 61901
ato.gov.au/media

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IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
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______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
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150
IMPORTANT
    The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
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IMPORTANT
    The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
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    The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
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151
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
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152
From:
s. 47F
To:
COVID19
Cc:
Employment Policy
Subject:
RE: Victoria hotspot postcode information [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 9 July 2020 11:46:40 AM
Attachments:
image003.png
image011.jpg
image013.jpg
image014.jpg
image015.png
image016.png
image017.png
image018.png
image001.jpg
Much appreciated s. 47F , thank you
s. 47F
From: COVID19
Sent: Thursday, 9 July 2020 11:43 AM
To: s. 47F

Cc: Employment Policy
Subject: RE: Victoria hotspot postcode information [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F
This is not information that the APSC has or is collecting. However, the Victorian Government
COVID-19 page now has a list of the areas where the Stay at Home restrictions apply (from
11:59pm 8 July 2020) and there is also a restrictions map of Victoria with information about the
directions issued by Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.
Hope this is helpful.
Kind regards,
s. 47F
Australian Public Service Commission
Level 4, B Block, Treasury Building, Parkes Place West, PARKES ACT 2600
GPO Box 3176 CANBERRA ACT 2601
t: s. 47F
w: www.apsc.gov.au

From: s. 47F
>
Sent: Thursday, 9 July 2020 10:15 AM
To: COVID19 <xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s. 47F
Employment Policy
<xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Victoria hotspot postcode information [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Hello
We are wondering whether you are able to provide information on the pandemic “hot spot” areas
in Victoria, specifically the relevant postcodes.
Victorian government seems to only be providing information by local government area.
We are trying to prioritise allocation of equipment for home based work to employees in
the hot spot locations.
Postcode information would assist us enormously.
If I’ve come through an incorrect channel, could you please redirect me?
Many thanks
s. 47F

154
From:
COVID19
To:
Media Unit
Cc:
COVID19
Subject:
RE: Working from home [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 2 April 2020 5:11:00 PM
OFFICIAL
Hi s. 47F
Thanks for sending through the proposed response below. It’s good to go from our perspective. I
just picked up a small type marked in red below.
All the best,
s. 47F
From: Media Unit
Sent: Thursday, 2 April 2020 4:30 PM
To: COVID19
Cc: Media Unit
Subject: RE: Working from home [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Hi team
Here is our proposed response which has been approved by our Second Commissioner for EST
and Deputy Commissioner ATOPeople and Second Commissioner COVID response
Action required
Can you please review and approve by 5.30pm AEDT?
We have approximately 11,000 staff working from home as at 2 April 2020. As at Friday 27
March 2020, we had approximately 9,000 staff working from home.
The ATO has recently undertaken a number of enhancements to its remote working capability -
both in terms of capacity and capability.
A small percentage of staff have experienced slowness and connectivity issues - but this has
become a lot less frequent as we have increased our own network capacity and tuned the remote
working solutions.
We are also finding a few issues with local internet connectivity for some staff remote working
locations – this is obviously beyond the control of either the individual or ATO.
The peak number of employees we expect to work from home has not yet been determined.
Working from home continues to be implemented where it is operationally possible, while still
supporting continued delivery of services to the community during this challenging time.
These intermittent issues have not prevented the ATO from continuing to deliver essential services
for the community during this difficult time.
As many organisations have transitioned their staff to work from home, public internet and
telephony infrastructure and cloud collaboration platforms usage have seen significant growth,
and this has caused some performance and connectivity issues for our staff. Through this
transition period we have continued to monitor and optimise the ATO systems to support a
positive user experience for our staff.
Any issues raised by users are resolved through our standard technical support processes. These
are the same processes for office based staff, and many of the initial individual user by user
connectivity issues are now resolved.
Like many other large employers, where authorised by their manager staff are able to take home
certain IT equipment (for example, headsets, keyboards, mouse, laptops) as required to facilitate
safe and productive working from home.
s. 47F

156
s. 22
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
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157
From:
s. 47F
To:
COVID19
Cc:
s. 47F
Subject:
Update to previous information provided to the COO committee [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Date:
Friday, 8 May 2020 6:03:26 PM
Attachments:
image001.png
image002.png
image003.png
image004.png
Hi APSC
Not sure if you’re the right area to content to update content on your website.
s. 47E
Is it possible to get the link on this page:
https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-home-during-covid-19-advice-agencies
Updated to our web content:
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/COVID-19/Support-for-individuals-and-employees/Employees-
working-from-home/
The factsheet is correct, however only refers to the two options for calculating WFH expenses.
There isn’t a plan to update all our WRE fact sheets for individual occupations to reflect the 80c
working from home shortcut as they are designed for ‘normal’ tax time and are intended to have
longevity beyond certain financial years.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Regards
s. 47F
ATO. Working for all Australians
We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respect to them and their cultures, and elders past, present and future.
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this

158
transmission together with any attachments.
*********************************************************************

159
From:
s. 47F
To:
COVID19
Cc:
s. 47F
Employment Policy
Subject:
Victoria hotspot postcode information [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Thursday, 9 July 2020 10:15:40 AM
Attachments:
image009.png
image010.png
image011.png
image012.png
Hello
We are wondering whether you are able to provide information on the pandemic “hot spot” areas
in Victoria, specifically the relevant postcodes.
Victorian government seems to only be providing information by local government area.
We are trying to prioritise allocation of equipment for home based work to employees in
the hot spot locations.
Postcode information would assist us enormously.
If I’ve come through an incorrect channel, could you please redirect me?
Many thanks
s. 47F
s. 47F
Australian Taxation Office
s. 47F
ATO. Working for all Australians
**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT
The information transmitted is for the use of the intended
recipient only and may contain confidential and/or legally
privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in
reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited and may result in
severe penalties. If you have received this e-mail in error
please notify the Privacy Hotline of the Australian Taxation
Office, telephone 1300 661 542 and delete all copies of this
transmission together with any attachments.
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