OFFICIAL

 

Dear Tyler

 

Thank you for your email dated 20 January 2026 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). 

 

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the department),
together with requesting your agreement to providing the department with
an extension of time to provide you with a decision.

 

Scope of request: 

You have sought access to any instrument issued under Article 4 paragraph
2 of the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty 2023 before 20 January
2026.

 

If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large
for processing, the department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the
request. 

 

Timeframe for receiving our decision: 

We received your request on 20 January 2026, and the 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.
A decision is currently due to you by 19 February 2026. The period of 30
days may be extended in certain circumstances.   

 

Charges:  

Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests.  If applicable, we will advise you of any relevant charges when
we are in a position to estimate the resources required to process your
request.  

 

Disclosure log:  

Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published on the
department’s disclosure log.  

 

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details: 

It is the department’s policy to withhold the personal information of
junior staff from ministerial offices and government officials not in the
Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent, including their email
addresses and contact numbers, together with all signatures, mobile phone
numbers, departmental inboxes and technical transmission details including
reference numbers. 

 

Duplicate documents and incomplete email chains: 

Your request will be processed on the basis that you did not intend to
capture duplicate documents or duplicate emails within email chains.  If
you require the excluded information or documents, please let us know at
[DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise, we will
take it that you agree to the information and documents being excluded
from the scope of your request. 

 

Personal Information: 

If we need to consult with other people or organisations regarding your
FOI request, we may need to disclose your personal information (e.g. your
name). When we consult it may be apparent that you have made a request,
even if we do not disclose your identity. Please let us know if you have
any concerns in this regard. Further information on the way the department
handles personal information is accessible via our privacy policy. 

 

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by reply email. 

 

Kind regards

 

 

Freedom of Information Section

Public Interest Law Branch| Regulatory and Legal Policy Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
E: [DFAT request email]

 

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© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging.

 

This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or
legal advice over which legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such
privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of
the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.

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