McKinsey Report 2021
Dear Department of Veterans' Affairs,
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Cosson at Senate estimates on 16 February 2022 said, “McKinsey completed their diagnostic work and provided us with the report on 17 December (2021).”
As of today, this report has not been released. This is despite the AusTender website noting on 6 December 2021 an extension to the date of completion, now 17 December 2021, and an increase in the total value of the contract, now $1,65M. It also noted, “Confidentially – Contract: No” then, “Confidentially – Outputs: No.”
INFORMATION I AM SEEKING:
As the contract stated there was no confidentially required for the report handed to DVA I require the full and unredacted McKinsey Report as presented to DVA on 17 December 2021.
Yours faithfully,
Alan ASHMORE
Dear Mr Ashmore,
I refer to your request, received by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
(the department) on 24 February 2022, for access under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to the following:
“…the full and unredacted McKinsey Report as presented to
DVA on 17 December 2021.”
Your request was received by the department on 24 February 2022 and the
30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day
after that date. The period of 30 days may 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
The department will advise you if a charge is payable to process your
request and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No
charge is payable for providing a person with their own personal
information.
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 #8510 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.
Exclusion of employee details
To the extent the department has documents in its possession that fall
within the scope of your request, we will treat the names, signatures,
position titles and direct contact details of Commonwealth employees as
irrelevant in accordance with section 22 of the FOI Act, unless you tell
us otherwise by COB 4 March 2022.
Further assistance
If you have any questions about your request, please email
[email address].
Kind regards,
Joanna (Position Number 62329542)
Information Access Officer
Information Law Section
Legal Services and Audit Branch
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
e [2][email address]
References
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2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Mr Ashmore,
Please find attached the Statement of Reasons in response to your FOI
application made to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Kind regards,
Joanna (Position Number 62329542)
Information Access Officer
Information Access Unit
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
e [1][email address]
References
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1. mailto:[email address]
Dear INFORMATION.LAW,
DVA’S REFUSAL RE FOI REQUEST FOR MCKINSEY REPORT – LEX 48159.
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Cosson at Senate estimates on 16 February 2022 said, “McKinsey completed their diagnostic work and provided us with the report on 17 December (2021).” Note the word “completed.”
INFORMATION SOUGHT:
On 24 February 2022 I lodged an FOI request that noted in part, “as the contract stated there was no confidentially required for the report handed to DVA I require the full and unredacted McKinsey Report as presented to DVA on 17 December 2021.”
I also noted the AusTender website noting on 6 December 2021 an extension to the date of completion, now 17 December 2021, and an increase in the total value of the contract, now $1,65M. It also noted, “Confidentially – Contract: No” then, “Confidentially – Outputs: No.”
DVA’S REFUSED THIS FOI REQUEST CITING IN PART:
“McKinsey’s review of the department’s claims process is not yet complete and the department is currently considering the findings and recommendations made in the draft report dated 17 December 2021. The department has not yet reached a final position on those findings and recommendations. Given the content of the draft report dated 17 December 2021 report and the fact that the department is currently considering the findings and recommendations made, (and has not yet reached a conclusion as to whether to adopt those recommendations), I am satisfied that the draft report dated 17 December 2021 is deliberative.”
THIS RAISES A NUMBER OF ISSUES:
: The AusTender website states, “the McKinsey report would be completed by 17 December 2021.”
: It also noted “Confidentially – Contract: No” then, “Confidentially – Outputs: No.”
: It is false to claim on 25 March 2022, “McKinsey’s review of the department’s claims
process is not yet complete,” when the contract with McKinsey concluded on 17
December 2021.
: It is also false to claim, “Given the content of the draft report dated 17 December 2021
report ….” DVA again use the words “draft report” when, according to another
Government website, AusTender, the contract with McKinsey concluded on 17 December
2021.
: DVA also said in part, “I am satisfied that the draft report dated 17 December 2021……..”
DVA falsely claim again it is a “draft report.”
: Ms. Cosson at Senate estimates on 16 February 2022 said, “McKinsey completed their
diagnostic work and provided us with the report on 17 December (2021).” Note the
word, “completed.”
I now give you until the close of business on Friday 1 April 2022 to reconsider and release the McKinsey report in full noting the Productivity Commission report was released in full almost 3 years ago and ,as of today, still has almost half the recommendations, “under deliberation,” by the Department, just like the McKinsey report.
Failure to release this report by COB on 1 April 2022 will leave me with no alternative but take further action including a Ministerial to Minister Gee via my Federal MP and a formal complaint to DVA, copies of which will be very widely circulated, including the Royal Commission. I will also appeal this decision to the OIAC.
Time for the games to cease. Over to you now.
Yours faithfully,
ALAN ASHMORE
Dear Mr Ashmore,
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (the department) has received your request for an internal review under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). I note you have requested a review of LEX 48159
Your request was received by the department on 27 March 2022 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. The period of 30 days may 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
The department will advise you if a charge is payable to process your request and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No charge is payable for providing a person with their own personal information.
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 [FOI #8510 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.
Exclusion of employee details
To the extent the department has documents in its possession that fall within the scope of your request, we intend to treat the surnames, signatures, position titles and direct contact details of Commonwealth employees and contractors, including clinical staff working for Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling as irrelevant in accordance with section 22 of the FOI Act. If you agree to the department treating these details as irrelevant, please advise by COB Monday 4 April 2022.
Further assistance
If you have any questions about your request, please email [DVA request email]
Yours sincerely
Natalie (Position number 62214719)
Team Leader – Registrations
Information Access Unit
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
t 1800 838 372 | e [DVA request email] | www.dva.gov.au
p GPO Box 9998, Canberra ACT 2601
Please consider the environment before printing this email
IMPORTANT: This document contains legal advice and may be subject to legal professional privilege. Unless it is waived or lost, legal professional privilege is a rule of law that, in part, provides that the client need not disclose confidential communications between a legal practitioner and client. To keep this privilege, the purpose and content of this advice must only be disclosed to persons who have a need to know and on the basis that those persons also keep it confidential.
You should consider this advice and take it into account when forming a decision on how best to proceed. If you decide to adopt a position that does not align with this advice, you should not state that DVA Legal Services & Audit Branch has cleared or endorsed a particular position.
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan ASHMORE <[FOI #8510 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 27 March 2022 5:16 PM
To: INFORMATION.LAW <[email address]>
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - McKinsey Report 2021
Dear INFORMATION.LAW,
DVA’S REFUSAL RE FOI REQUEST FOR MCKINSEY REPORT – LEX 48159.
BACKGROUND:
Ms. Cosson at Senate estimates on 16 February 2022 said, “McKinsey completed their diagnostic work and provided us with the report on 17 December (2021).” Note the word “completed.”
INFORMATION SOUGHT:
On 24 February 2022 I lodged an FOI request that noted in part, “as the contract stated there was no confidentially required for the report handed to DVA I require the full and unredacted McKinsey Report as presented to DVA on 17 December 2021.”
I also noted the AusTender website noting on 6 December 2021 an extension to the date of completion, now 17 December 2021, and an increase in the total value of the contract, now $1,65M. It also noted, “Confidentially – Contract: No” then, “Confidentially – Outputs: No.”
DVA’S REFUSED THIS FOI REQUEST CITING IN PART:
“McKinsey’s review of the department’s claims process is not yet complete and the department is currently considering the findings and recommendations made in the draft report dated 17 December 2021. The department has not yet reached a final position on those findings and recommendations. Given the content of the draft report dated 17 December 2021 report and the fact that the department is currently considering the findings and recommendations made, (and has not yet reached a conclusion as to whether to adopt those recommendations), I am satisfied that the draft report dated 17 December 2021 is deliberative.”
THIS RAISES A NUMBER OF ISSUES:
: The AusTender website states, “the McKinsey report would be completed by 17 December 2021.”
: It also noted “Confidentially – Contract: No” then, “Confidentially – Outputs: No.”
: It is false to claim on 25 March 2022, “McKinsey’s review of the department’s claims
process is not yet complete,” when the contract with McKinsey concluded on 17
December 2021.
: It is also false to claim, “Given the content of the draft report dated 17 December 2021
report ….” DVA again use the words “draft report” when, according to another
Government website, AusTender, the contract with McKinsey concluded on 17 December
2021.
: DVA also said in part, “I am satisfied that the draft report dated 17 December 2021……..”
DVA falsely claim again it is a “draft report.”
: Ms. Cosson at Senate estimates on 16 February 2022 said, “McKinsey completed their
diagnostic work and provided us with the report on 17 December (2021).” Note the
word, “completed.”
I now give you until the close of business on Friday 1 April 2022 to reconsider and release the McKinsey report in full noting the Productivity Commission report was released in full almost 3 years ago and ,as of today, still has almost half the recommendations, “under deliberation,” by the Department, just like the McKinsey report.
Failure to release this report by COB on 1 April 2022 will leave me with no alternative but take further action including a Ministerial to Minister Gee via my Federal MP and a formal complaint to DVA, copies of which will be very widely circulated, including the Royal Commission. I will also appeal this decision to the OIAC.
Time for the games to cease. Over to you now.
Yours faithfully,
ALAN ASHMORE
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Ashmore,
I refer to your request, received by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
(the department) on 24 February 2022, for access under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to the following:
“…the full and unredacted McKinsey Report as presented to
DVA on 17 December 2021.”
Your request was received by the department on 24 February 2022 and the
30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day
after that date. The period of 30 days may 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
The department will advise you if a charge is payable to process your
request and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No
charge is payable for providing a person with their own personal
information.
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 #8510 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.
Exclusion of employee details
To the extent the department has documents in its possession that fall
within the scope of your request, we will treat the names, signatures,
position titles and direct contact details of Commonwealth employees as
irrelevant in accordance with section 22 of the FOI Act, unless you tell
us otherwise by COB 4 March 2022.
Further assistance
If you have any questions about your request, please email
Kind regards,
Joanna (Position Number 62329542)
Information Access Officer
Information Law Section
Legal Services and Audit Branch
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
e [2][email address]
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #8510 email]
2. mailto:[email address]
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Dear INFORMATION.ACCESS,
Thank you for your 28 March 2022 response. I note the following.
May I suggest you re read my 27 March 22 in full and especially where I noted in part:
"I now give you until the close of business on Friday 1 April 2022 to reconsider and release the McKinsey report in full noting the Productivity Commission report was released in full almost 3 years ago and ,as of today, still has almost half the recommendations, “under deliberation,” by the Department, just like the McKinsey report.
Failure to release this report by COB on 1 April 2022 will leave me with no alternative but take further action including a Ministerial to Minister Gee via my Federal MP and a formal complaint to DVA, copies of which will be very widely circulated, including the Royal Commission. I will also appeal this decision to the OIAC.
Time for the games to cease. Over to you now."
I again restate my request for your internal review to be completed and the said documents released by no later than the COB on 1 April 22.
Should the said documents not be released in the time I have stipulated I will withdraw my request for a review so to take it out of DVA's hands. In addition I will take further action as noted above. I will now also include the Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs.
On the basis the AusTender website is correct, as is evidence Liz Cosson gave at Senate Estimates, I believe your decision to refuse my FOI request contains multiple statements that are factually untrue.
Time is fast running out so it's over to you for the last time.
Yours sincerely,
Alan ASHMORE
Dear INFORMATION.ACCESS,
As outlined in my correspondence of 28 March 2022 where I asked for this FOI request to be completed by COB on 1 April 2022, I note your failure to comply with my request.
I now withdraw my request for a review and will now take actions as previously outlined. I have already contacted the Ministers office re this issue.
I am disappointed that one lie has been repeated numerous times. Not only does it show contempt for a legitimate FOI request it dishonours our service.
Yours sincerely,
Alan ASHMORE
Dear Mr Ashmore,
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Department) has been notified of an
application made by you for the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) review of the Department’s decision on LEX 48159 & LEX
48720IR (OAIC reference: MR22/01112). The Department has reviewed your
application and wishes to advise that four months after your FOI request
was received by the Department, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The
Hon Matt Keogh MP, made the McKinsey Report publically available. The full
report can be read on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website [1]here.
Given that you have now been provided with access to the document that is
the subject of the above review, we invite you to withdraw your IC Review
MR22/01112. We will be providing the OAIC with a copy of this
correspondence.
We thank you for your interest in the way the Department manages the
claims processing system, and taking the opportunity to engage with us on
this important issue. We trust the information is of assistance to you.
Kind regards
Ramona | Assistant Director
Position Number: 62336362
Information Access Unit I Client Access and Rehabilitation Branch
Client Engagement and Support Services Division
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Tel 1800 838 372 (1800 VETERAN)
e [2][email address]
[3]www.dva.gov.au
[4]cid:image002.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[5]cid:image003.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[6]cid:image004.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590[7]cid:image005.png@01D7B6E3.69D49590
[8]cid:image009.jpg@01D8EDC8.743A0070
[9]cid:image010.jpg@01D8EDC8.743A0070
References
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1. https://minister.dva.gov.au/news-and-med...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://www.dva.gov.au/
4. https://www.facebook.com/DVAAus
5. https://twitter.com/DVAAus
6. https://au.linkedin.com/company/australi...
7. https://www.youtube.com/DVATVAus
Dear INFORMATION.ACCESS,
I do not agree to your request to withdraw my request for a review with the OAIC.
Firstly you refused my request then DVA lied to me on 11 occasions claiming it was a "draft report" when both the former Secretary, Liz Cosson claimed otherwise at a Senate Estimates Heading. In addition the AusTender website noted completion of this report on 17 December 2022.
In addition none of my questions in my letter to then Minister Gee of 8 April 2022 have even been answered.
Accordingly I do not agree to your request.
Yours sincerely,
Alan ASHMORE
Thank you for your email. Please accept this automatic reply as
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interim.
This email is monitored during business hours Monday to Friday excluding
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References
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