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Dear Foifoi Mcgee,

After internal enquiries, I can confirm there has been no internal discussion, consideration, or deliberation of any kind relating to the removal of the name 'Palestine'.

Please also see some of the galleries/commemorative area images attached, including a flag. These images contain the word Palestine and are intended to remain in the galleries ongoing.

On this basis, are you willing to withdraw your Freedom of Information (FOI) request?

Kind regards,

Daniel Martynow
Governance and Assurance Officer +AHw- Corporate Services
daniel.martynow+AEA-awm.gov.au +AHw- t 02 6243 4290
Australian War Memorial +AHw- GPO Box 345 Canberra ACT 2601

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OFFICIAL

Dear Foifoi Mcgee,

Request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 for access to documents

1.      I refer to your request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
(FOI Act), in which you sought access to the following:

               all documents discussing the removal of the name
“Palestine” from the Australian War Memorial, from 7 October 2023 until
the date of this FOI request

Authority to make this decision

2.      I am the authorised decision-maker for the purposes of section 23
of the FOI Act and this letter gives notice of my decision.

Material taken into account

3.      I have taken the following material into account in making my
decision:

I.      the terms of your request.
II.     the documents relevant to the request
III.    the FOI Act.
IV.     the Guidelines published by the Office of the Information
Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act (the FOI Guidelines).

Searches

4.      Having regard to your request and the types of documents that may
fall within the scope of your request, I am satisfied that the searches
conducted were thorough and all reasonable steps have been taken to locate
the documents relevant to your request.

5.      In processing your request, I requested the relevant staff to
search our corporate information systems and records to identify the
documents related to your request. As a result of the searches undertaken,
no documents could be found that fell within the scope of your request.

Decision

6.      Section 24A(1) of the FOI Act provides that the Department may
refuse a request for access to a document if all reasonable steps have
been taken to find the document and the Department is satisfied that the
document does not exist.

7.      I am satisfied that the Department has undertaken reasonable
searches in relation to your request and that no documents were in
possession of the Department as of the date of this decision 3 October
2025.

Charges

8.      Section 29 of the FOI Act allows for the imposition of charges for
providing access to a document. These charges may be applied or waived at
the discretion of the agency.
I have exercised my delegation to waive all charges associated with this
request.

Review Rights

9.      Under the FOI Act you may seek a review of my decision through:

I.      an internal review that is conducted by the Australian War
Memorial – see Part VI of the FOI Act; or
II.     a review by the Information Commissioner - see Part VII of the FOI
Act.

Internal Review

10.     If you wish to seek an internal review, you must apply to the
Australian War Memorial within 30 days after the day you are notified of
this decision.

11.     An application for internal review of the decision made must be
made in writing.  No particular form is required but it is helpful if you
set out in the application the grounds on which you consider that the
decision should be reviewed. Your application for internal review should
be sent to:

[email address]
Attn:  Ms Leanne Patterson
Assistant Director, Branch Head Corporate Services

Review by the Information Commissioner
12.     Alternatively, you may seek a review of my decision by the
Information Commissioner.

13.     The option to seek an internal review (see above) does not prevent
you from seeking a review by the Information Commissioner at a later stage
- this is because the Information Commissioner can also review an internal
review.

14.     If you wish to seek a review of my decision by the Information
Commissioner you must apply within 60 days after the day on which notice
of this decision was given to you or after the day on which notice of the
internal review decision was given.

15.     Your application must be in writing and must provide details of
how notices may be sent to you and include a copy of this decision
letter.  The Information Commissioner also suggests that your application
sets out why you are objecting to the decision. Your application can be
lodged in one of the following ways:
Online:       www.oaic.gov.au
Post:            GPO 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
Email:          [email address]

Complaints

16.     You may also make a complaint to the Information Commissioner if
you have concerns about how the Australian War Memorial has handled this
part (or any part) or your request under the FOI Act.
Further assistance
I can be contacted on 02 6243 4290 or by email at [email address] for any
assistance with your request.

Kind regards,

Daniel Martynow

Governance and Assurance Officer | Corporate Services

[1][email address] | t 02 6243 4290

Australian War Memorial | GPO Box 345 Canberra ACT 2601

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