www.abs.gov.au
ABN: 26 331 428 522
CENTRAL OFFICE
FOI ref: 201415/11
ABS House
Ken McLeod
45 Benjamin Way
Belconnen ACT 2617
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Locked Bag 10
Belconnen ACT 2616
Dear Ken,
Telephone: (02) 6252 6705
Facsimile: (02) 6251 6009
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
I refer to your email of 14 January 2015 in which you sought access to documents under the
Freedom
of Information Act 1982 (the Act) (
Attachment A):
“documentation pertaining to the current 8 month Census and how the participants were
chosen. I also make request for documents pertaining to the geographical location's of
the current 8 month Census and your Departments reasons for choosing the locations
you are currently using.”
It has since been clarified with the ABS FOI contact officer that the ‘current 8 month Census’ is the
ABS’ Monthly Population Survey (MPS).
Response to your request:
The ABS has conducted an exhaustive search for documents relating to your request. I am able to
notify you that there are 19 documents pertaining to your request.
Under section 22 of the FOI Act, these documents have been edited to remove material not relevant to
your request.
In addition, I have assessed the content of these documents to determine whether any exemptions,
which are specified in the FOI Act, apply to the information being disclosed. Under the FOI Act,
information cannot be released in full if an exemption applies.
Attachment B outlines each of the 19 documents and my decision to release in full, release in part, or
refuse access entirely in accordance with the FOI Act. The relevant exemptions that apply to
documents released in part or refused in entirety are provided for your consideration. Documents to be
provided to you in full or in part are disclosed in
Attachment D.
I note that of these 19 documents, four are publically available documents that have previously been
communicated to you:
ABS Surveys Charter, 2010 (ABS cat. no. 1008.0) provides a holistic explanation of how the
ABS conducts statistical surveys.
Information Paper: Labour Force Survey Sample Design, May 2013 (ABS cat. no. 6269.0).
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is a component of the MPS and this document contains
extensive information regarding survey methodology and sample design that will largely
reflect that employed for the MPS.
Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, 2013 (ABS cat. no. 6102.0.55.001), in
particular:
o Chapter 18, which provides an overview of the survey methodology used in ABS
household surveys such as the MPS.
o Chapter 20, which provides further detail on the aspects of survey design particular
to the LFS (and MPS).
Charges
There is no charge for this request.
Internal Review of the Decision Section 54 of the FOI Act gives you the right to apply for an internal review of the decision by the
ABS. Additionally you may request a review of this decision by the Information Commissioner.
Details of both procedures involved in an application to review a decision are set out at
Attachment C.
The ABS publishes all documents disclosed in response to FOI requests (other than personal or
business information that would be unreasonable to publish) on the ABS website within 10 working
days of the applicant receiving the response. This is consistent with the arrangements established by
section 11C of the Act, which formally commenced operation on 1 May 2011.
If you have any queries on this matter please contact the ABS FOI Contact Officer, at
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx or on (02) 6252 7203.
Yours sincerely,
Linda Fardell
A/g Assistant Statistician
Office of the Statistician and External Engagement
Australian Bureau of Statistics
27April 2015
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT B
Document number
Decision
Exemption(s)
1
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
S47E
This document ‘would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the
operations of an agency’.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
2
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
S47E
This document ‘would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the
operations of an agency’.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
3
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
S47E
This document ‘would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the
operations of an agency’.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
4
Released in Part
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
S47E
This document ‘would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the
operations of an agency’.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
5
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
6
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Specific brands and products used as question/example material.
Personal comments of training presenter.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
7
Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Specific brands and products used as question/example material.
Personal comments of training presenter.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
8 Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Specific brands and products used as question/example material.
Personal comments of training presenter.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
9 Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Specific brands and products used as question/example material.
Personal comments of training presenter.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
10 Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Names of ABS staff.
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
11 Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
12 Refused
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47
This document would disclose information having a commercial value that would be, or could
reasonably be expected to be, destroyed or diminished if the information were disclosed.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
I have determined that it would be unreasonable to disclose this document. In determining
whether the disclosure would be unreasonable I have considered the following:
The information is not publically available.
13 Released
in
part
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Names of ABS staff.
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
14 Released
in
part
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
15 Released
in
part
S22
This document contains information that would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant to the
request. I have determined that the following are irrelevant to your FOI request:
Material that is not in the scope of your request.
S47C
This document would disclose matter (deliberative matter) relating to, opinion, advice or
recommendation obtained, prepared or recorded, or consultation or deliberation that has taken
place, in the course of, or for the purposes of, the deliberative processes involved in the functions
of the ABS.
S47E
This document ‘would have a substantial adverse effect on the proper and efficient conduct of the
operations of an agency’.
16 Refused
S12
The information is freely available to the public. Therefore under subsection 12(1)(c) of the FOI
Act, such documents are not entitled to be obtained under FOI. As such, no access will be granted.
17 Refused
S12
The information is freely available to the public. Therefore under subsection 12(1)(c) of the FOI
Act, such documents are not entitled to be obtained under FOI. As such, no access will be granted.
18 Refused
S12
The information is freely available to the public. Therefore under subsection 12(1)(c) of the FOI
Act, such documents are not entitled to be obtained under FOI. As such, no access will be granted.
19 Refused
S12
The information is freely available to the public. Therefore under subsection 12(1)(c) of the FOI
Act, such documents are not entitled to be obtained under FOI. As such, no access will be granted.
ATTACHMENT C
INFORMATION ON RIGHTS OF REVIEW
1.
APPLICATION FOR INTERNAL REVIEW OF DECISION
If you disagree with our decision you have the right to apply for an internal review under section 54 of the
FOI Act.
Application for a review of the decision must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter.
No particular form is required but it would assist the decision-maker were you to set out in the application
the grounds on which you consider that the decision should be reviewed.
Application for a review of the decision should be addressed to:
ABS FOI Contact Officer
Audit, Policy and Parliamentary Liaison Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Locked Bag 10
BELCONNEN ACT 2617
OR
2.
APPLICATION TO AUSTRALIAN INFORMATION COMMISSIONER (INFORMATION
COMMISSIONER) FOR REVIEW OF DECISION
Section 54L of the Act gives you the right to seek a review of the decision from the Information
Commissioner. An application for review must be made within 60 days of receiving the decision.
Applications for review must be in writing and must:
• give details of how notices must be sent to you; and
• include a copy of the notice of decision.
You should send your application for review to:
The Information Commissioner
Office of the Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 2001
AND/OR
3.
COMPLAINTS TO THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER
Section 70 of the Act provides that a person may complain to the Information Commissioner about action
taken by an agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions under the Act.
A complaint to the Information Commissioner must be in writing and identify the agency the complaint is
about. It should be directed to the following address:
The Information Commissioner
Office of the Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 2001
The Information Commissioner may decline to investigate the complaint in a number of circumstances,
including that you did not exercise your right to ask the agency, the Information Commissioner, a court or
tribunal to review the decision.
ATTACHMENT D
