OFFICIAL

Dear ChumChurum

Thank you for your email dated 23 September 2025 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).  

Scope of request:  

You have sought access to: 

Any documents requested, received, drafted or obtained by DFAT including
communications about Australian nationals joining IDF operations in Gaza
between 1 January 2024 and 1 February 2024 inclusive

Please exclude duplicates and documents already publicly released,
including media releases, reports, articles and statements to the media.

Please limit emails to the final message in the chain as long as previous
messages are captured.

I agree to having the names and direct contact details of non-senior staff
removed, however I request that redactions do not include non-personally
identifying information. For example, please leave the domain and job
titles when redacting email addresses or signature blocks on emails.

Timeframe for receiving our decision:  

We received your request on 23 September 2025, 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 23 October 2025. 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 [1]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 [2][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 [3]privacy policy.  

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

Kind regards  

DFAT FOI Team

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OFFICIAL

Dear Chum Churum

Please see attached correspondence in response to your FOI request.

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]

[1]dfat.gov.au | [2]X | [3]Facebook | [4]Instagram  | [5]LinkedIn

© 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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