FOI review and complaint documents August 2024
Dear Office of the Australian Information Commissioner,
I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982:
1. Operating procedures or similar documents that govern how an IC Review is conducted, including template documents and template emails.
2. Operating procedures or similar documents that govern how an FOI Complaint is conducted, including template documents and template emails.
All documents should be the most up-to-date versions, without any editing markup.
Exclusions:
1. Duplicate documents
2. FOI Guidelines and other documents published on the OAIC's website (except those on the OAIC's disclosure log)
3. The FOI Act and IC Reviews
4. Emails (except email templates)
5. Documents tracking IC Reviews or FOI Complaints.
For clarity, the following is provided as guidance only on the scope and intentions of my request:
I am seeking documents similar to those released in the following FOI requests:
- FOIREQ23/00196 (excluding Document 4 as it is irrelevant to IC Reviews or FOI Complaints)
- FOIREQ2300156, including:
o The latest version of all documents relevant to IC Reviews and FOI Complaints
o All relevant documents listed under the 'Sample letters/guidance' column in Document 57 "IC review process"
- FOIREQ23/00111 (latest versions)
- FOIREQ24/00330, including:
o The template email "Recent charges decision and invitation to make a revised decision"
o The template Attachment to document 1 – Letter about charges
My intention is to access the updated versions of the above-mentioned documents, as well as any similar relevant documents not captured in the previous FOI requests.
Please contact me if you require any clarification or have questions regarding this request.
Yours faithfully,
CR
Your email has been received by the Office of Australian Information
Commissioner.
FOI requests to the OAIC
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Our reference: FOIREQ24/00397
Dear CR
Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request for access to documents made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act).
You FOI request was received by the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) on 10 August 2024. This means that a decision on your
FOI request is currently due on 9 September 2024.
Clarification on the scope of your request
Your FOI request was made in the following terms:
I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982:
1. Operating procedures or similar documents that govern how an IC
Review is conducted, including template documents and template emails.
2. Operating procedures or similar documents that govern how an FOI
Complaint is conducted, including template documents and template emails.
All documents should be the most up-to-date versions, without any editing
markup.
Exclusions:
1. Duplicate documents
2. FOI Guidelines and other documents published on the OAIC's
website (except those on the OAIC's disclosure log)
3. The FOI Act and IC Reviews
4. Emails (except email templates)
5. Documents tracking IC Reviews or FOI Complaints.
For clarity, the following is provided as guidance only on the scope and
intentions of my request:
I am seeking documents similar to those released in the following FOI
requests:
- FOIREQ23/00196 (excluding Document 4 as it is irrelevant to IC
Reviews or FOI Complaints)
- FOIREQ2300156, including:
o The latest version of all documents relevant to IC Reviews and FOI
Complaints o All relevant documents listed under the 'Sample
letters/guidance' column in Document 57 "IC review process"
- FOIREQ23/00111 (latest versions)
- FOIREQ24/00330, including:
o The template email "Recent charges decision and invitation to make a
revised decision"
o The template Attachment to document 1 – Letter about charges
My intention is to access the updated versions of the above-mentioned
documents, as well as any similar relevant documents not captured in the
previous FOI requests.
To ensure we process your request efficiently and accurately, we kindly
seek clarification on the following:
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|‘Operating Procedures’|We note that your request uses the term |
|or ‘Operating |‘operating procedures or similar documents’. |
|Information’ | |
| |We have interpreted this to have the same meaning|
| |as ‘operational information’ set out in section |
| |8A of the FOI Act. ‘Operational information’ is |
| |defined as ‘information held by the agency to |
| |assist the agency to perform or exercise [its] |
| |functions or powers’, and includes ‘rules, |
| |guidelines, practices and precedents’ held by the|
| |agency to assist in making decisions. For the |
| |purposes of this request, we consider templates |
| |held by the OAIC to be operational information. |
| | |
| |That is, we interpret your request to be seeking |
| |policies, procedures and templates that govern |
| |how the OAIC processes IC reviews and FOI |
| |complaints. |
| | |
| |Please kindly confirm whether you agree with this|
| |interpretation of operating procedures or similar|
| |documents.’ |
|----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|Duplicate Provision of|We note that your request expressly excludes ‘FOI|
|Documents |Guidelines and other documents published on the |
| |OAIC's website’ from scope, however, does not |
| |exclude documents already uploaded onto the |
| |disclosure log. |
| | |
| |Specifically, you provide the following matter |
| |numbers by way of illustration of documents you |
| |are requesting: |
| | |
| | 1. FOIREQ23/00111 |
| | 2. FOIREQ23/00156 |
| | 3. FOIREQ23/00196 |
| | 4. FOIREQ24/00330 |
| | |
| |I note that of these requests, you were the FOI |
| |applicant in FOIREQ23/00156 and FOIREQ24/00196. |
| |This means that, in addition to these documents |
| |being uploaded onto the disclosure log and thus |
| |public information, you are already in possession|
| |of the documents located as part of this request.|
| | |
| |To assist in maintaining efficient practices for |
| |FOI processing, we interpret the scope of your |
| |request as excluding documents already provided |
| |to yourself, and documents already uploaded onto |
| |the disclosure log. |
| | |
| |This will enable the OAIC to focus on locating |
| |any updated material and avoid duplicate |
| |processing of requests and duplicate provision of|
| |documents. |
|----------------------+-------------------------------------------------|
|Updated Versions |In line with the above, our understanding of your|
| |request is that you are only seeking access to |
| |updated versions, if any, of the policies, |
| |procedures and templates previously released |
| |under the following matter numbers: |
| | |
| | 1. FOIREQ23/00111 |
| | 2. FOIREQ23/00156 |
| | 3. FOIREQ23/00196 |
| | 4. FOIREQ24/00330 |
| | |
| |Please kindly confirm whether you agree with this|
| |interpretation. |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------+
We ask that you please provide a response to the above interpretation of
scope by close of business Thursday, 15 August 2024. If we do not hear
from you by this date, we will proceed with processing your request based
on our scope interpretation as set out above.
Timeframes for dealing with your request
Section 15 of the FOI Act requires the OAIC to process your request no
later than 30 days after the day we receive it. However, section 15(6) of
the FOI Act allows us a further 30 days in situations where we need to
consult with third parties about certain information, such as business
documents or documents affecting their personal privacy.
The current decision due date for your request is 9 September 2024. We
will advise you if this timeframe is otherwise extended.
Disclosure Log
Documents released under the FOI Act may be published online on our
disclosure log, unless they contain personal or business information that
would be unreasonable to publish.
If you would like to discuss your FOI request, please contact me on my
contact details set out below.
Yours sincerely
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia Pelaccia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Dear Tahlia,
Thank you for your prompt acknowledgment.
I agree with your first interpretation regarding operational information.
I agree with your second interpretation regarding exclusions, on the condition that you list each document excluded in this manner and provide its location. For example: "Document ABC123 is excluded as it is available on FOIREQ12/12345 Document 47." Please also release the "Schedule of Documents" for FOIREQ23/00111. If this is not possible, documents already on the disclosure log remain within the scope of my request.
I partially agree with your third interpretation. I am seeking updated versions of the policies, procedures, and templates from the previously released documents (related to IC Review and FOI Complaints). However, I am also seeking any other similar documents (if they exist) that were not included in FOIREQ23/00111, FOIREQ23/00156, FOIREQ23/00196, and FOIREQ24/00330.
I hope this clarifies the scope of my request.
Kind regards,
CR
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 1 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 2 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 3 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 4 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 5 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 6 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 7 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 8 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 9 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 10 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 11 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence related to your FOI request,
FOIREQ24/00397.
Please note that, due to the size of the documents, these documents will
be sent in 12 parts.
This is part 12 of 12.
Kind regards
Tahlia
[1][IMG] Tahlia (she/her)
Lawyer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
E [2][OAIC request email]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[OAIC request email]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...