Collective punishment of people in Gaza
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
BACKGROUND:
On the 26th October 2023, it was reported by the Sky News that Foreign Minister Penny Wong disagreed that Palestinians were being collectively punished in Gaza. https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-new...
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING:
I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes, memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references, mentions or alludes to collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the date of this FOI request.
Yours faithfully,
Foifoi Mcgee
FOI Request: LEX 9366
Dear Foifoi Mcgee
Thank you for your email dated 26 October 2023 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
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:
“all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes,
memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references, mentions or
alludes to collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the
date of this FOI request.”
Timeframe for receiving our decision:
We received your request on 26 October 2023 and the 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.
The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances. We will
advise you if any extension of time is required.
Request for extension of time:
The department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to
an extension of 30 days to finalise your request.
The relevant business area is currently diverted to manage matters
relating to the crisis and require the additional time to manage competing
priorities whilst also undertaking the relevant search and retrieval.
I would be grateful if you could please advise in writing if you agree to
the proposed extension of time by COB Tuesday 31 October 2023. In the
event you do not respond, the department may apply to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) seeking an extension to the
statutory timeframe under s15AB of the FOI Act.
Should the department finalise your request earlier the decision letter
and documents (if any) will be released to you at that time.
Charges:
Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests. 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:
[1]https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corpora....
Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details:
It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all
government officials, and the names and contact details of government
officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent. If you
require the mobile numbers of all government officials, or the names and
contact details of non-SES officials, please let us know at
[2][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we will
take it that you agree to that information 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. The department’s privacy policy is available
at dfat.gov.au/privacy.html.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by return e-mail at [3][DFAT request email]
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[4]dfat.gov.au | [5]Twitter | [6]Facebook | [7]Instagram | [8]LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
[9]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.
-----Original Message-----
From: Foifoi Mcgee <[FOI #10798 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 26 October 2023 4:31 PM
To: FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Information request - Collective punishment
of people in Gaza
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
BACKGROUND:
On the 26th October 2023, it was reported by the Sky News that Foreign
Minister Penny Wong disagreed that Palestinians were being collectively
punished in Gaza.
[10]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING:
I am seeking all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting
minutes, memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points
held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references,
mentions or alludes to collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October
2023 to the date of this FOI request.
Yours faithfully,
Foifoi Mcgee
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[11][FOI #10798 email]
Is [12][DFAT request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact
us using this form:
[13]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
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:
[14]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
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2. mailto:[DFAT request email]
3. mailto:[DFAT request email]
4. http://www.dfat.gov.au/
5. https://twitter.com/DFAT
6. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au
7. https://www.instagram.com/dfat
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9. https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publica...
10. https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-new...
11. mailto:[FOI #10798 email]
12. mailto:[DFAT request email]
13. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
14. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I decline your request for an extension.
Given the situation in Gaza at the moment, these documents are very important to the Australian public and should be released as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Foifoi Mcgee
Dear Foifoi Mcgee
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI request.
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[1]dfat.gov.au | [2]Twitter | [3]Facebook | [4]Instagram | [5]LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
[6]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.
-----Original Message-----
From: Foifoi Mcgee <[FOI #10798 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 29 October 2023 9:08 PM
To: FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: LEX 9366 - Your DFAT FOI Request - Acknowledgement
and Request for Extension of Time [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.
Dear FOI,
I decline your request for an extension.
Given the situation in Gaza at the moment, these documents are very
important to the Australian public and should be released as soon as
possible.
Yours sincerely,
Foifoi Mcgee
-----Original Message-----
FOI Request: LEX 9366
Dear Foifoi Mcgee
Thank you for your email dated 26 October 2023 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
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:
“all documents, including but not limited to reports, meeting minutes,
memos, ministerial submissions, correspondence, talking points held by the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that references, mentions or
alludes to collective punishment in Gaza, from the 7th October 2023 to the
date of this FOI request.”
Timeframe for receiving our decision:
We received your request on 26 October 2023 and the 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date.
The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances. We will
advise you if any extension of time is required.
Request for extension of time:
The department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to
an extension of 30 days to finalise your request.
The relevant business area is currently diverted to manage matters
relating to the crisis and require the additional time to manage competing
priorities whilst also undertaking the relevant search and retrieval.
I would be grateful if you could please advise in writing if you agree to
the proposed extension of time by COB Tuesday 31 October 2023. In the
event you do not respond, the department may apply to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) seeking an extension to the
statutory timeframe under s15AB of the FOI Act.
Should the department finalise your request earlier the decision letter
and documents (if any) will be released to you at that time.
Charges:
Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests. 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:
[1][7]https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corpora....
Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details:
It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all
government officials, and the names and contact details of government
officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent. If you
require the mobile numbers of all government officials, or the names and
contact details of non-SES officials, please let us know at
[2][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we
will
take it that you agree to that information 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. The department’s privacy policy is available
at dfat.gov.au/privacy.html.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by return e-mail at [3][DFAT request email]
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[4]dfat.gov.au | [5]Twitter | [6]Facebook | [7]Instagram | [8]LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
[9]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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[8][FOI #10798 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:
[9]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dfat.gov.au/
2. https://twitter.com/DFAT
3. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au
4. https://www.instagram.com/dfat
5. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
6. https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publica...
7. https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/corpora...
8. mailto:[FOI #10798 email]
9. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I would like to revise this request.
Instead of all documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I would instead like the documents provided to the Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and/or those documents used to inform her assessment that Palestinians were not being collectively punished in Gaza.
Yours sincerely,
Foifoi Mcgee
Dear Foifoi Mcgee
Please find attached correspondence relating to your FOI request.
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[1]dfat.gov.au | [2]Twitter | [3]Facebook | [4]Instagram | [5]LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
[6]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.
-----Original Message-----
From: Foifoi Mcgee <[FOI #10798 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 15 November 2023 10:56 PM
To: FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: LEX 9366 - Your DFAT FOI Request - s24AB
Consultation [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.
Dear FOI,
I would like to revise this request.
Instead of all documents held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, I would instead like the documents provided to the Foreign Minister
Penny Wong, and/or those documents used to inform her assessment that
Palestinians were not being collectively punished in Gaza.
Yours sincerely,
Foifoi Mcgee
-----Original Message-----
Dear Foifoi Mcgee
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI request.
Kind regards
DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
[1]dfat.gov.au | [2]Twitter | [3]Facebook | [4]Instagram | [5]LinkedIn
© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
[6]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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #10798 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:
[8]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. http://www.dfat.gov.au/
2. https://twitter.com/DFAT
3. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au
4. https://www.instagram.com/dfat
5. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
6. https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/publica...
7. mailto:[FOI #10798 email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...