All files relating to the so-called ABC arrests and trials from 1977-1978
Dear Department of Defence,
I would like to request copies of all the files you hold on the ABC arrests and trials which took place between 1977 and 1978.
A link to the basic details of the case is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_trial
Although the court case was in the United Kingdom, as a partner in signals intelligence the Australian department of defence would have been briefed on the trial for security reasons.
I would like this information sent to me electronically please.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Chamberlain
UNCLASSIFIED
Good Morning Phil,
Thank you for your FOI inquiry. I have reviewed your request and am advising that if any files/documents do exist they would be exempt from disclosure under s7 of the FOI Act which states, 'An agency is exempt from the operation of this Act in relation to the following documents: (a) a document (an intelligence agency document) that has originated with, or has been received from, the Australian Signals Directorate'.
Based on the above advice, can you please advise if you are willing to withdraw your request?
Regards,
____________________________
Jo Groves
Assistant Director - Information Access
Information Management and Access
Governance & Reform Division
Telephone: (02) 6266 3948
CP1-6-005 [email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Chamberlain [mailto:[FOI #4105 email]]
Sent: Thursday, 21 September 2017 1:27 AM
To: FOI requests at Defence
Subject: Freedom of Information request - All files relating to the so-called ABC arrests and trials from 1977-1978
Dear Department of Defence,
I would like to request copies of all the files you hold on the ABC arrests and trials which took place between 1977 and 1978.
A link to the basic details of the case is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_trial
Although the court case was in the United Kingdom, as a partner in signals intelligence the Australian department of defence would have been briefed on the trial for security reasons.
I would like this information sent to me electronically please.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Chamberlain
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Dear FOI,
Thank you for responding so swiftly Jo.
I believe there will be files which would have originated from the UK government and which may be held by departments other than the Australian Signals Directorate so I hope that the exemption to which you refer will not apply.
But please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Chamberlain
UNCLASSIFIED
Hi Phil,
Thanks for getting back to me. As the records you are seeking are in the open access period, they will be held at the National Archives of Australia. To access these documents you will need to make a request to the National Archives of Australia under the Archives Act.
Please find below a link that will help you locate and access any records in NAA.
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/ - There is a help tab located on the right hand of the screen with Contact information
I have also attached 2 fact sheets that might help with your search.
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sh...
http://naa.gov.au/collection/using/step-...
If you have any questions or issues you can call NAA on 02 6212 3900
Regards,
____________________________
Jo Groves
Assistant Director - Information Access
Information Management and Access
Governance & Reform Division
Telephone: (02) 6266 3948
CP1-6-005 [email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Chamberlain [mailto:[FOI #4105 email]]
Sent: Friday, 22 September 2017 2:45 AM
To: FOI
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - All files relating to the so-called ABC arrests and trials from 1977-1978 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear FOI,
Thank you for responding so swiftly Jo.
I believe there will be files which would have originated from the UK government and which may be held by departments other than the Australian Signals Directorate so I hope that the exemption to which you refer will not apply.
But please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Chamberlain
-----Original Message-----
UNCLASSIFIED
Good Morning Phil,
Thank you for your FOI inquiry. I have reviewed your request and am advising that if any files/documents do exist they would be exempt from disclosure under s7 of the FOI Act which states, 'An agency is exempt from the operation of this Act in relation to the following documents: (a) a document (an intelligence agency document) that has originated with, or has been received from, the Australian Signals Directorate'.
Based on the above advice, can you please advise if you are willing to withdraw your request?
Regards,
____________________________
Jo Groves
Assistant Director - Information Access
Information Management and Access
Governance & Reform Division
Telephone: (02) 6266 3948
CP1-6-005 [email address]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #4105 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914. If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email.