CSIRO
csiro.au
xxx@xxxxx.xx
ABN 41 687 119 230
17 August 2021
Our ref: FOI 2021/37
Right to Know
Attention: Jaay-H
Via Email: Jaay-
H xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Jaay-H
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
I refer to your email of 16 August 2021, which contained a request, pursuant to the
Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth), for access to:
“A genetically modified organism's (GMO) genetic characteristics have been changed by laboratory
methods to create a genetic sequences that would not otherwise be found in the genome.
Australian media claims CSIRO col aborated in Gain-of-Function research with the Wuhan Institute of
Virology. This institute is notably governed by the Communist Party of China.
CSIRO should have performed robust due diligence before approving public funds to GMO and/or Gain-
of-Function research undertaken in col aboration with any laboratory governed by the Communist
Party of China.
Acting under the auspices of the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act I hereby request a copy
of the risk assessments, due diligence and bioethics assessment documents relied upon to grant CSIRO
approval to col aborate in GMO and/or Gain-of-Function research with the Wuhan Institute of
Virology.”
Acknowledgement
CSIRO received your request on
16 August 2021 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your
request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from
CSIRO by
15 September 2021. The period of 30 days may be extended if we need to consult third
parties pursuant to sections 27 and 27A of the FOI Act, in relation to their personal information
and/or their business affairs contained in the documents you are seeking. CSIRO will advise you if
this happens.
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
Charges
Under the FOI Act charges may be imposed for processing your request pursuant to section 29.
These charges are calculated by reference to the time spent in searching and retrieving relevant
documents, decision making time, photocopying, postage etc. In the event CSIRO decides that you
are liable to pay a charge in respect of processing your request, you wil be notified of the
preliminary assessment of the charges and you wil have the opportunity to contend that the charge
should not be imposed or should be reduced.
Exclusion of employee’s details
CSIRO is working towards ensuring that al employees have a choice about whether they provide
their full name and direct contact details in response to public enquiries. Where such details are
included in the scope of a request, this may add to processing time and applicable charges as it may
be necessary to consider whether the details are exempt under the FOI Act. On this basis, unless
you tel us otherwise, we wil assume that these details are out of scope of your request and they
wil be redacted under section 22 of the FOI Act.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be published online on CSIRO’s
disclosure log, subject to certain exceptions. For example, personal information will not be
published where this would be unreasonable.
CSIRO will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if you would prefer us
to use an alternative means of contact.
Yours sincerely,
K Robinson
Karen Robinson
FOI Administrative Officer
CSIRO
CSIRO
Australia’s National Science Agency
