Mefloquine and doxycycline malaria prophylaxis in Australian soldiers in East Timor, April 2001–October 2001 and October 2001–May 2002

Scott McCormick made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Defence

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

Response to this request is long overdue. By law, under all circumstances, Department of Defence should have responded by now (details). You can complain by requesting an internal review.

Scott McCormick

Dear Department of Defence,

I request release of all correspondence between Defence, Joint Health Command, AMI, TGA and ADHREC (ADMEC) with regard to the ADF Mefloquine and doxycycline malaria prophylaxis trial in Australian soldiers in East Timor, April 2001–October 2001 and October 2001–May 2002.

https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2005/182/...

I also specifically request any correspondence with regard to amendments in this particular trial protocol.

Given the increased Senate scrutiny of this trial I also request that costs of processing the above application be waived on public interest grounds.

Yours faithfully,
Scott McCormick

Edwards, Judy MS 1, Department of Defence

UNCLASSIFIED

Good afternoon Mr McCormick

 

Thank you for submitting a request for access to information you believe
to be held by the Department of Defence. In accordance with section
15(5)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), I formally
acknowledge receipt of your freedom of information request for access to:

 

‘I request release of all correspondence between Defence, Joint Health
Command, AMI, TGA and ADHREC (ADMEC) with regard to the ADF Mefloquine and
doxycycline malaria prophylaxis trial in Australian soldiers in East
Timor, April 2001–October 2001 and October 2001–May 2002. 
[1]https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2005/182/...

I also specifically request any correspondence with regard to amendments
in this particular trial protocol.

 

The purpose of this email is to advise you of the intention to refuse the
request because a ‘practical refusal reason’ exists under section 24 of
the FOI Act.  The practical refusal reason is specified in subsection
24AA1(a)(i) of the FOI Act in that the work involved in processing the
request would substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of an
agency from its other operations. 

 

The scope, as it stands, includes a request for all correspondence between
numerous government departments about ADF Mefloquine and doxycycline
malaria prophylaxis trials. Searches required to fulfil this request are
considerable noting that the request includes correspondence from all of
Defence. Your request also includes TGA, which is an independent
organisation, although it is possible we may hold some correspondence.

 

A considerable amount of material has already been released through
Defence FOI regarding the trials as well as an Inquiry report by IGADF.
Defence considers the scope of this request is too broad and includes
material that has already been made publically available. Defence
considers that to process such a request would substantially and
unreasonably divert the resources of Joint Health Command given the vast
amount of material there is about the subject. The material Defence have
already released relevant to your request can be found at the below links:

 

·         FOI 286/15/16
[2]http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/decisions/...

·         FOI 186/16/17
[3]http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/decisions/...

·        
[4]http://www.defence.gov.au/Health/HealthP...  

·        
[5]http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/c...

 

Based on advice from the relevant action areas and taking the vast amount
of information Defence have released publically into consideration, under
section 24AA of the FOI Act and for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI
Act, Defence considers that a 'practical refusal reason' exists
in relation to your FOI request. In accordance with section 24AB of the
FOI Act, Defence is required to consult with you advising of the intention
to refuse access to your request in its current form.

 

In accordance with paragraph 24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act, I am the nominated
person with whom you should contact with a view to agreeing to one of the
following options:

 

    a.    withdraw your request

    b.    revise your request; or

    c.    indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

 

As outlined in section 24AB(9) of the FOI Act, Defence is only required to
undertake this consultation process once, and you must contact me within
14 days to discuss.

 

If you have any questions in relation to your request, or require further
information, please contact the FOI team on [6][email address] and
quote reference FOI 149/18/19.

 

Kind regards

____________________________

Defence Freedom of Information

Governance & Reform Division

 

Department of Defence 

PO Box 7910 Canberra BC ACT 2610

E [7][email address

[8]http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/privacy.asp

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence
and is subject to the jurisdiction of section 70 of the Crimes Act 1914.
If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the
sender and delete the email.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2005/182/...
2. http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/decisions/...
3. http://www.defence.gov.au/foi/decisions/...
4. http://www.defence.gov.au/Health/HealthP...
5. http://www.defence.gov.au/publications/c...
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[email address]
8. http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/privacy.asp
file:///tmp/blocked::http:/www.defence.gov.au/FOI/privacy.asp

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