Thank you for your email.  Please accept this automatic reply as
confirmation the Information Access Unit (IAU) has received your email.

Please note the IAU is currently experiencing a high volume of requests. 
We are working as quickly as possible to process your request.  We
appreciate your patience.

Dear Mr Ashmore,

The Department of Veterans' Affairs (the department) has received your
request for access to information under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (FOI Act). I note you have requested access to the following:

'...BACKGROUND:
In April 2023 the OAIC found DVA had breached the privacy of a veteran in
relation to the MATES program.

INFORMATION I AM SEEKINNG:

In regard to the MATES program, I am seeking all written communication
both to and from DVA to the University of South Australia, University of
Adelaide and Phoenix Australia for the period 1 April 2023 to 13 December
2023...'

Your request was received by the department on 13 December 2023 and the
ordinary 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced
from the day after that date.

Extension of Time

Due to an increase in the number of information access applications
currently being received by the department, we are asking your agreement
to an extension of time for a further 30 days to process this request
under section 15AA of the FOI Act. This would mean that your request is
due on 12 February 2024.

If we are in a position to make a decision on your request earlier than
this date, we will endeavour to do so.

The statutory period may also be extended if we need to consult third
parties or for other reasons permitted under the FOI Act. We will advise
you if this happens.

Please reply by return email if you agree to this extension of time. If
you do agree we will notify the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) of your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act.

Charges

The Department will notify you within 14 days of an estimate of the
charges that will apply to your request for non-personal information
before we process any requested documents or impose a final charge.

Your address

The FOI Act requires that you provide us with an address that we can send
notices to. You have advised your contact address is
[1][FOI #10968 email]  . Unless you tell us
otherwise, we will send all notices and correspondence to this address.

Disclosure log

Information released under the FOI Act may be published on a disclosure
log on our website, subject to certain exceptions. These exceptions
include where publication of personal, business, professional or
commercial information would be unreasonable.

Further assistance

If you have any questions about your request, please email
[2][DVA request email]

Yours sincerely

Kevin| Information Access Officer

Position 62373493

Information Access Unit

Ministerial, International & Stakeholder Relations Branch

Ministerial, Communication & Engagement Division

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)

[3][DVA request email]

[4]www.dva.gov.au 

[5]cid:image008.jpg@01D8EA24.8F7FA8A0

[6]cid:image009.jpg@01D8EA24.8F7FA8A0

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #10968 email]
2. mailto:[DVA request email]
3. mailto:[DVA request email]
4. http://www.dva.gov.au/

Thank you for your email.  Please accept this automatic reply as
confirmation the Information Access Unit (IAU) has received your email.

Please note the IAU is currently experiencing a high volume of requests. 
We are working as quickly as possible to process your request.  We
appreciate your patience.

Good afternoon,

Please find attached decision and document in relation to your request.

Regards,

Emily

[1][IMG]   Emily Elliott

Senior Lawyer

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Sydney | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
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:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

Dear Mr Ashmore,

Please find the attached s 24AB consultation notice.

Kind regards,

Frankie| a/g Senior Information Access Officer
Position 62373489
Information Access Unit
Ministerial, International & Stakeholder Relations Branch
Ministerial, Communication & Engagement Division
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
[DVA request email]
www.dva.gov.au 

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Ashmore,

I refer to your request for information under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act). Your request was received by the Department on 13
December 2023 and was made in the following terms:

‘...BACKGROUND:
In April 2023 the OAIC found DVA had breached the privacy of a veteran in
relation to the MATES program.

INFORMATION I AM SEEKINNG:

In regard to the MATES program, I am seeking all written communication
both to and from DVA to the University of South Australia, University of
Adelaide and Phoenix Australia for the period 1 April 2023 to 13 December
2023...'

On 12 February 2024, the Department issued you with a request consultation
notice under s 24AB of the FOI Act. This notice advised you that a
practical refusal reason existed because the processing of your request,
in its current terms, would likely result in the substantial and
unreasonable diversion of the Department’s resources, in accordance with s
24AA(1)(a)(i).

You were invited to do one of the following during the request
consultation period, which ended on 26 February 2024:

·       Withdraw the request;

·       Make a revised request; or

·       Indicate that you do not wish to revise the request.

Pursuant to s 24AB(7) of the FOI Act, as no response was received during
the consultation period, your request was taken to be withdrawn.

Kind regards,

Frankie| a/g Senior Information Access Officer

Position 62373489

Information Access Unit

Ministerial, International & Stakeholder Relations Branch

Ministerial, Communication & Engagement Division

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

[1][DVA request email]

[2]www.dva.gov.au 

[3]cid:image002.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[4]cid:image003.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[5]cid:image004.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[6]cid:image005.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590

[7]cid:image005.jpg@01D8E9E7.0F9C7A60
[8]cid:image012.jpg@01D8E9E7.0F9C7A60

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[DVA request email]
2. http://www.dva.gov.au/
3. https://www.facebook.com/DVAAus
4. https://twitter.com/DVAAus
5. https://au.linkedin.com/company/australi...
6. https://www.youtube.com/DVATVAus