Information and Documentation on Operation Covid Shield and the final Report from Operation Covid Assist.
: Deborah-May: Torrens made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Defence
Dear Department of Defence,
I am contacting Your Department to request information and documentation relating to 'Operation Covid Shield' and 'Operation Covid Assist', which were conducted as part of 'Wargames'.
https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activ...
Yours faithfully,
:Deborah-May: Torrens
OFFICIAL
Dear Deborah-May,
I refer to your correspondence of 1 July 2024 seeking access to documents
held by the Department of Defence (Defence), under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
The scope of your request is:
….request information and documentation relating to 'Operation Covid
Shield' and 'Operation Covid Assist', which were conducted as part of
'Wargames'.
[1]https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activ...
The scope of your request is broad and Defence would be grateful for
additional information to assist in the processing of your request. The
additional information that would assist Defence process your request, is
confirm the timeframe for your request and the type of documents you seek.
For example, you may wish to seek documents related to a particular aspect
of the Operations or a particular point in time.
I would be grateful for your response by 4 July 2024.
Thank you and regards
Freedom of Information Team
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
[2]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activ...
2. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
Dear Freedom of Information Team; Media and Information Disclosure Branch; Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division; Department of Defence,
Thank you for your swift response to my FOI request dated 1 July, 2024.
To assist in processing my request, I am specifically seeking the following types of information and documentation related to Operation COVID Shield and Operation COVID Assist:
1. Detailed operational plans and briefing documents for both operations.
2. Documents outlining the mission objectives and assessments of the outcomes.
3. Information on resources allocation, including personnel, equipment, and financial sources and resources.
4. Logistics plans and supply chain management details during the operations.
5. Internal communications, including but not limited to electronic communications such as e-mails, memo's and meeting minutes related to planning and execution.
6. Coordination efforts between military, government, NACCHO (National Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation and its ACCHO's) and civilian agencies.
7. Details of any and all training programs (on land, out at sea, in the air and cyberspace).
8. Documents and information outlining in what ways AI algorithms were used to track, target and monitor vulnerable groups such as Elderly in Aged Care Homes, Disabled and mentally ill individuals, minority ethnic groups and Indigenous Australians.
9. Health and safety guidelines implemented and reports on adherence to these protocols.
10. Public communications, including press releases, public statements, and media briefings.
11. After-action reports, evaluation, and documents detailing lessons learned and recommendations for future operations.
I appreciate your assistance in providing these key documents and any additional information that can help fulfill my request.
Without ill-will, malice, vexation, deception or prejudice.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Yours sincerely,
Deborah-May
OFFICIAL
Dear Deborah-May,
Please find attached a letter in relation to Defence FOI 004/24/25.
Kind regards,
Freedom of Information Team
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
Dear FOI Case Management,
Thank you for your notification regarding FOI request 0004/24/25 and the opportunity to revise the scope of my request.
I understand the extensive resources required to process the initial request and as such, would like to amend it to focus on a more specific set of documents.
I would like to revise my request to cover the following points, focusing on a shorter timeframe to reduce the burden on your department:
1. Detailed operational plans and briefing documents for both Operation COVID Shield and Operation COVID Assist:
Specific to the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.
2. Documents outlining the mission objectives and assessments of the outcomes:
For the same period as above.
Information on resource allocation, including personnel, equipment, and financial sources and resources:
Again, focusing on the same timeframe.
3. Logistics plans and supply chain management details during the operations:
Restricted to the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.
4. Internal communications, including but not limited to electronic communications such as emails, memos, and meeting minutes related to planning and execution:
From 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020, specifically between high-level officials directly involved in the operations.
I hope my amendment will make the request more manageable and reduce the resource burden on Your department.
Please let me know if this revised scope is acceptable or if further adjustments are needed. Thank you for your assistance and understanding.
In good will and good faith, without malice, discrimination or prejudice.
Warm regards,
Deborah-May
Dear FOI Case Management,
Very well, I request documents and reports based on the first three (to begin with).
1. Detailed operational plans and briefing documents for both operations.
2. Documents outlining the mission objectives and assessments of the outcomes.
3. Information on resources allocation, including personnel, equipment, and financial sources
and resources.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Regards
Deborah
OFFICIAL
Dear Deborah-May,
Acknowledgement
I refer to your revised request of 29 July 2024 in response to a section
24AA consultation notice. This email is to advise you that processing of
your request has resumed.
The revised scope of your request is:
1. Detailed operational plans and briefing documents for both Operation
COVID Shield and Operation COVID Assist:
Specific to the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.
2. Documents outlining the mission objectives and assessments of the
outcomes:
For the same period as above.
3. Information on resource allocation, including personnel, equipment, and
financial sources and resources:
Again, focusing on the same timeframe.
4. Logistics plans and supply chain management details during the
operations:
Restricted to the period from 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020.
5. Internal communications, including but not limited to electronic
communications such as emails, memos, and meeting minutes related to
planning and execution:
From 1 March 2020 to 31 December 2020, specifically between high-level
officials directly involved in the operations.
Disclaimer
Where staff details are captured in documents within the scope of your FOI
request, this information will be redacted; this includes private email
addresses, signatures, personnel (PMKeyS) numbers and mobile telephone
numbers, unless you specifically request such details. Defence excludes
duplicates of documents and any documents sent to or from you.
Furthermore, Defence only considers final versions of documents.
Timeframe
The statutory timeframe to provide you with a decision on your request
ends on 1 August 2024. This period may be extended if we need to consult
with third parties, or for other reasons. We will advise you if this
happens.
Please note that where the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday, the timeframe will expire on the next working day. This is in
accordance with the FOI Guidelines issued by the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner under section 93A of the FOI Act.
Request for extension
As a result of the revised scope and the requirement to undertake fresh
searches, as well as resourcing pressures due to staff availability and
completing priorities, our office is seeking your agreement to a 30-day
extension of the statutory deadline under section 15AA [extension with
agreement] of the FOI Act. We will endeavour to process your request as
soon as we can.
Should you agree, the statutory deadline for you to receive a response to
your request will expire on 31 August 2024.
It would be much appreciated if you could confirm your agreement to this
extension of time via e-mail by close of business tomorrow, 31 July 2024.
I apologise for the short turnaround.
Disclosure Log
Documents released under the FOI Act may be published on Defence’s
disclosure log, located on our website.
Contact Details
We will contact you via the email address you have provided. Please advise
if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
Should you have any questions relating to your request, please do not
hesitate to contact the FOI team via email:
[1][email address].
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
[2]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
OFFICIAL
Dear Deborah-May,
Please find attached the Decision relating to Defence FOI 004/24/25
Review Rights
If you disagree with the decision made by the Department of Defence or the
Minister under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act), you can
ask for the decision to be reviewed.
You must apply in writing and should include a copy of the notice of the
decision provided and the points to which you are objecting and why. You
may apply directly to the Information Commissioner, within 60 days of
receiving your decision.
Further information about the external review process or how to make a
complaint to the Information Commissioner is available:
Online: [1]www.oaic.gov.au
Post: GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2000
Email: [2][email address]
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
[3]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
Dear Department of Defence,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Defence's handling of my FOI request 'Information and Documentation on Operation Covid Shield and the final Report from Operation Covid Assist.'.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
:Deborah-May: Torrens
OFFICIAL
Dear Deborah-May,
This response is to acknowledge receipt of your email below.
In that email you requested an internal review under section 54 of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) of the decision issued by
Defence on 2 September 2024.
As the decision was not provided to you within the statutory timeframe
under section 54E(b) of the FOI Act we are unable to undertake an internal
review.
You may wish to apply for an external review with the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner. Further information about the
external review process or how to make a complaint to the Information
Commissioner is available:
Online: [1]www.oaic.gov.au
Post: GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2000
Email: [2][email address]
Regards,
FOI Review Team
FOI Review Directorate
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence
[3][email address]
PO Box 7910
R1-05-A
Canberra BC ACT 2610