Document(s) pertaining to the cost estimates and budgeting for Victoria Police’s “Operation Safenight” created prior to May 1, 2017

Maddison Connaughton made this Freedom of Information request to Victoria Police

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

Victoria Police did not have the information requested.

Maddison Connaughton

Dear Victoria Police,

If possible, please treat this a request under IPS, or administrative access. If the request cannot be fulfilled under administrative access please treat this as a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

I request any and all document(s) pertaining to the cost estimates and budgeting for Victoria Police’s “Operation Safenight” created prior to May 1, 2017.

I also note the onus rests with the agency to prove why any information should not be released under the Act and I request the agency provide evidence in support of any assumptions or assertions used to justify non-disclosure.

Yours faithfully,

Maddison Connaughton

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION-MGR, Victoria Police

Dear Ms Connaughton

Regarding your email below, I refer you to the website www.foi.vic.gov.au if you wish to submit a valid Freedom of Information request.

Applications must:

• Be in writing or lodged electronically via FOI Online.

• Clearly describe the documents you are requesting access to.

• Include the application fee or evidence that you qualify to have the application fee waived. Other costs may be incurred in granting access to the documents that you have requested. For more information see Costs.

• Be made to the agency that holds the documents you are seeking.

If the documents are about your personal affairs, you should provide evidence of your identity. For example, a photocopy or electronic copy of your current Drivers Licence.

Please do not hesitate to call this office on 9247 6801 if you have any queries regarding submitting a Freedom of Information request.

Regards,

FOI Manager
Victoria Police FOI Division

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Henare Degan left an annotation ()

Ah, the classic silly-buggers of the authority responding to your FOI request by pretending they didn't see your, err, FOI request. The next step is to reply saying, yes this is a FOI request and (duh) it's in writing. You don't have to use the government website to make a request as they suggest in their email.

Unfortunately I don't think Victorian FOI law has a provision for administrative or informal access so you'll probably have to go straight to a formal request. That will cost $27.90 unless you can prove financial hardhship.

You'll need insist you want to do this over email using the address they received your request from. That will keep everything open and transparent here on Right To Know.

You'll have to arrange payment directly as you don't want to send your credit card details or anything publicly on Right To Know. Just ask them how you can make payment. Here's a successful example of one of my requests where I called them and paid using credit card over the phone: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/m...

Maddison Connaughton

Dear FREEDOM OF INFORMATION-MGR,

Yes, I would like to clarify that this is a FOI request and it's in writing. I have been advised that I do not have to use the government website to make a request, as suggested in your previous email.

Am I able to pay the application fee over the phone?

Thank you so much,

Maddison Connaughton

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION-MGR, Victoria Police

Ms Connaughton,

We unfortunately do not have over the phone or credit card payment facilities. You are welcome to send a cheque addressed to FOI Unit, Victoria Police Centre, GPO Box 913, Melbourne Victoria 3001 in the amount of $27.90. Alternatively a credit card can be used by submitting an application online at http://www.foi.vic.gov.au/home/how+to+ap...

It would also be helpful to provide a postal address to return any future communication to you.

Please be reminded that the Righttoknow.org.au website is accessible and open to the public for viewing.

Thankyou

Victoria Police FOI Division

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Henare Degan left an annotation ()

Not the most unhelpful response I've seen but a cheque, in 2017, srsly? :-/

>It would also be helpful to provide a postal address to return any future communication to you.

This is a good time to remind them that you'd like all correspondence to be sent via email :)

Maddison Connaughton

Dear FREEDOM OF INFORMATION-MGR,

Thank you for this information, I'll pay online. However, I would like all correspondence to continue via email.

Yours sincerely,

Maddison Connaughton