MATES - Veterans' Reference Group
Dear Department of Veterans' Affairs,
The MATES program has had the involvement/input from a representative from a number of ESO’s. They are referred to as Veterans’ Reference Group.
I am seeking all interactions by representatives of the MATES program to members of the Veterans’ Reference Group, i.e. all briefings, presentations including minutes of all meetings, for the period 1 January 2020 to 29 February 2024.
Yours faithfully,
Alan ASHMORE
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:
'...The MATES program has had the involvement/input from a representative
from a number of ESO's. They are referred to as Veterans' Reference Group.
I am seeking all interactions by representatives of the MATES program to
members of the Veterans' Reference Group, i.e. all briefings,
presentations including minutes of all meetings, for the period 1 January
2020 to 29 February 2024...'
Your request was received by the department on 3 March 2024 and the
ordinary 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced
from the day after that date.
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.
Charges
If the Department considers that a charge will apply to your request, you
will be notified 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 #11192 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 #11192 email]
2. mailto:[DVA request email]
3. mailto:[DVA request email]
4. http://www.dva.gov.au/
Dear Mr Ashmore
Thank you for your request for information under the FOI Act 1982,
received by the Department on 03 March 2024.
Please find attached the Decision Letter.
We will now close this inquiry.
Kind regards
Joshua | Assistant Director
Position Number: 62336362
Information Access Unit
Ministerial, International & Stakeholder Relations Branch
Ministerial, Communication & Engagement Division
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
[1][DVA request email]
[2]www.dva.gov.au
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[DVA request email]
2. http://www.dva.gov.au/
Dear Department of Veterans' Affairs,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Veterans' Affairs's handling of my FOI request 'MATES - Veterans' Reference Group'.
On 3 March 2024 I lodged the following FOI.
‘I am seeking all interactions by representatives of the MATES program to members of the Veterans’ Reference Group, i.e. all briefings, presentations including minutes of all meetings, for the period 1 January 2020 to 29 February 2024…’
This request was refused, “on the basis that the documents do not exist.”
In a subsequent conversation with one of the Veterans’ Reference Group members they advised, “we meet 3 times a year, occasionally 2,” and “minutes are taken.”
It is very concerning that DVA has responded by claiming, “no documents exist,” when meetings WERE held and MINUTES TAKEN.
Should you fail to respond in full and within the prescribed time, you will give me no alternative but to refer this to Senator Shoebridge and Senator Lambie to ask questions of Secretary Frame at the May Senate Estimates. I say this as an earlier request for an Internal Review, of another FOI, DVA never responded and is now with the Information Commissioner.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/m...
Yours faithfully,
Alan ASHMORE
Dear Mr Ashmore,
The Department of Veterans' Affairs (the department) has received your
request for internal review of the Department's decision LEX 66764 under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). Your internal review
request reads as follows:
“I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Veterans'
Affairs's handling of my FOI request 'MATES - Veterans' Reference Group'.
On 3 March 2024 I lodged the following FOI.
‘I am seeking all interactions by representatives of the MATES program to
members of the Veterans’ Reference Group, i.e. all briefings,
presentations including minutes of all meetings, for the period 1 January
2020 to 29 February 2024…’
This request was refused, “on the basis that the documents do not exist.”
In a subsequent conversation with one of the Veterans’ Reference Group
members they advised, “we meet 3 times a year, occasionally 2,” and
“minutes are taken.”
It is very concerning that DVA has responded by claiming, “no documents
exist,” when meetings WERE held and MINUTES TAKEN
Should you fail to respond in full and within the prescribed time, you
will give me no alternative but to refer this to Senator Shoebridge and
Senator Lambie to ask questions of Secretary Frame at the May Senate
Estimates. I say this as an earlier request for an Internal Review, of
another FOI, DVA never responded and is now with the Information
Commissioner.”
Your request for internal review was received by the department on 10
April 2024 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request
commenced from the day after that date.
Where possible, your request for internal review will be handled by an FOI
officer authorised decision-maker who was not involved in the original
decision.
Your address
The FOI Act requires that you provide us with an address that we can send
notices to. You have advised your electronic address is
[1][FOI #11192 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]
Kind Regards
Arthur Information Access Registrations Officer
Position Number – 62341836
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:image001.png@01D8F043.829927E0[6]cid:image002.png@01D8F043.829927E0[7]cid:image003.png@01D8F043.829927E0[8]cid:image004.png@01D8F043.829927E0
[9]cid:image005.jpg@01D8F043.829927E0
[10]cid:image006.jpg@01D8F043.829927E0
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #11192 email]
2. mailto:[DVA request email]
3. mailto:[DVA request email]
4. http://www.dva.gov.au/
5. https://www.facebook.com/DVAAus
6. https://twitter.com/DVAAus
7. https://au.linkedin.com/company/australi...
8. https://www.youtube.com/DVATVAus