National Security Hotline Correspondence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 ("the Act"). In accordance with section 15 of the Act, I request that you provide me with the following information:
A record of each item of postal correspondence received by (or otherwise intended for or determined to be for the attention of) The Australian Government National Security Hotline on or before 1 March 2003, including such correspondence as may have been received, collected and/or stored by the Attorney-General's Department at any time prior to 1 March 2003, including:-
- The date of each item of correspondence, as is normally recorded in respect of correspondence received by the Attorney-General's Department using the TRIM document management system at that time (i.e., 2003);
- The corresponding date on which each item of correspondence so received was accessioned onto the Attorney-General's Department TRIM document management system;
- Unless determined to be violative of the Attorney-General's Department privacy guidelines, the corresponding post code for each item of correspondence so recorded.
I do not require that the records herein requested include any details identifying names, addresses, or content in respect of any of the relevant correspondence.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Patterson
Thank you for your email. This is an automated response to advise you that
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Coordinator.
If you wish to lodge a request for access to documents under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), please ensure that your request is in
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and provides sufficient detail describing the documents you wish to
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UNCLASSIFIED
13/13803
20 August 2013
Mr Phil Patterson
Email address: [FOI #355 email]
Dear Mr Patterson
Freedom of Information Request no. FOI13/135
I refer to your request for access to documents relating to correspondence received by The Australian Government National Security Hotline under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. I have taken your request to be for:
A record of each item of postal correspondence received by (or
otherwise intended for or determined to be for the attention of)
The Australian Government National Security Hotline on or before 1
March 2003, including such correspondence as may have been
received, collected and/or stored by the Attorney-General's
Department at any time prior to 1 March 2003, including:-
- The date of each item of correspondence, as is normally recorded
in respect of correspondence received by the Attorney-General's
Department using the TRIM document management system at that time
(i.e., 2003);
- The corresponding date on which each item of correspondence so
received was accessioned onto the Attorney-General's Department
TRIM document management system;
- Unless determined to be violative of the Attorney-General's
Department privacy guidelines, the corresponding post code for each
item of correspondence so recorded.
We received your request on 19 August 2013 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 18 September 2013. The period of 30 days may be extended if we need to consult third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be published online on our disclosure log http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtection..., subject to certain exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where this would be unreasonable.)
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact. If you have any questions, please contact the following officer:
Logan Tudor, FOI Officer by email [AGD request email].
Kind Regards
FOI Contact Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Section | Office of Corporate Counsel Attorney-General's Department | 3 - 5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Email: [AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Patterson [mailto:[FOI #355 email]]
Sent: Monday, 19 August 2013 1:35 PM
To: FOI Requests
Subject: TRIM: Freedom of Information request - National Security Hotline Correspondence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 ("the Act"). In
accordance with section 15 of the Act, I request that you provide
me with the following information:
A record of each item of postal correspondence received by (or
otherwise intended for or determined to be for the attention of)
The Australian Government National Security Hotline on or before 1
March 2003, including such correspondence as may have been
received, collected and/or stored by the Attorney-General's
Department at any time prior to 1 March 2003, including:-
- The date of each item of correspondence, as is normally recorded
in respect of correspondence received by the Attorney-General's
Department using the TRIM document management system at that time
(i.e., 2003);
- The corresponding date on which each item of correspondence so
received was accessioned onto the Attorney-General's Department
TRIM document management system;
- Unless determined to be violative of the Attorney-General's
Department privacy guidelines, the corresponding post code for each
item of correspondence so recorded.
I do not require that the records herein requested include any
details identifying names, addresses, or content in respect of any
of the relevant correspondence.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Patterson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #355 email]
Is [AGD request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Attorney-General's Department? If so, please
contact us using this form:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/contact
Write your response as plain text. Only send PDF documents as a
last resort. Government guidelines make it clear that PDF is not an
acceptable format for you to use in the delivery of government
information.
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
If you have received this transmission in error please
notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all
copies. If this e-mail or any attachments have been sent
to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver
of any confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect
of information in the e-mail or attachments.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
AGD FOI matter no. 13/135
I refer to your request for access to documents relating to the National Security Hotline (NSH) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
I would like to request your consent to an extension of time to enable us to complete your request. Under section 15AA of the FOI, I am empowered to seek your written agreement for an extension of up to 30 days. The reason I am seeking this extension is that the category of documents that you have requested may date back as far as 27 December 2002 (the commencement date of the NSH). We are in the process of recalling all related files from storage to determine their relevance to your request.
At present, the due date for completion of this matter is Wednesday 18 September 2013. Should you agreed to a 30 day extension, your request would fall due on Friday 18 October 2013.
Would you please advise us in writing whether you agree to this extension.
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Patterson [mailto:[FOI #355 email]]
Sent: Monday, 19 August 2013 1:35 PM
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Freedom of Information request - National Security Hotline Correspondence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 ("the Act"). In
accordance with section 15 of the Act, I request that you provide
me with the following information:
A record of each item of postal correspondence received by (or
otherwise intended for or determined to be for the attention of)
The Australian Government National Security Hotline on or before 1
March 2003, including such correspondence as may have been
received, collected and/or stored by the Attorney-General's
Department at any time prior to 1 March 2003, including:-
- The date of each item of correspondence, as is normally recorded
in respect of correspondence received by the Attorney-General's
Department using the TRIM document management system at that time
(i.e., 2003);
- The corresponding date on which each item of correspondence so
received was accessioned onto the Attorney-General's Department
TRIM document management system;
- Unless determined to be violative of the Attorney-General's
Department privacy guidelines, the corresponding post code for each
item of correspondence so recorded.
I do not require that the records herein requested include any
details identifying names, addresses, or content in respect of any
of the relevant correspondence.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Patterson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #355 email]
Is [AGD request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Attorney-General's Department? If so, please
contact us using this form:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/contact
Write your response as plain text. Only send PDF documents as a
last resort. Government guidelines make it clear that PDF is not an
acceptable format for you to use in the delivery of government
information.
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
If you have received this transmission in error please
notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all
copies. If this e-mail or any attachments have been sent
to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver
of any confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect
of information in the e-mail or attachments.
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I refer to your email dated 6 September 2013 seeking my consent to an extension of time under section 15AA of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
In particular, I note that you say you are recalling files from storage to ascertain their relevance to my request. I acknowledge the information sought by me is typically recorded on the cover sheet usually attached to items of correspondence received by the Attorney General's Department (AGD). However, as I understand it, the information displayed on each cover sheet (e.g., date of correspondence; date of accession) is already recorded electronically on the AGD's document management system and should therefore be able to be retrieved electronically by the department's database administrator.
If it is the case that you intend to satisfy my request through a manual compilation of the information sought, the resulting cost to me will be far greater than it would be were you to generate the same list through electronic means. If this is not possible, I would be grateful if you would explain to me why that is.
Otherwise, I consent to your request for an extension of time.
Thank you for your assistance on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Patterson
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
Re: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I refer to your e-mail below.
Advice from the relevant line area of this Department is that the information that you seek is stored in hardcopy form. For this reason, all related hardcopy documents have been recalled from storage. We are now in the process of collating the information that you seek (from the hardcopy documents), into a single, discreet electronic document. I trust that the creation of this electronic summary document will address your needs. To clarify, we are generating the document that you seek through electronic means.
Thank you for your grant of 30 day extension of processing time under s 15AA of the FOI Act on 10 September 2013. Advice from the relevant line area is that the work on this matter is progressing as planned. For this reason, the department is unlikely to require the full 30 days as granted.
If you wish to discuss this matter, please call the departmental switchboard on (02) 6141 6666 and ask to be put through to the FOI & Privacy Section (refer to AGD FOI matter number 13/135 at that time).
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Patterson [mailto:[FOI #355 email]]
Sent: Tuesday, 10 September 2013 10:14 AM
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: AGD FOI matter no. 13/135 - Mr Phil Patterson - re NSH documents - seeking extension of time [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I refer to your email dated 6 September 2013 seeking my consent to
an extension of time under section 15AA of the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
In particular, I note that you say you are recalling files from
storage to ascertain their relevance to my request. I acknowledge
the information sought by me is typically recorded on the cover
sheet usually attached to items of correspondence received by the
Attorney General's Department (AGD). However, as I understand it,
the information displayed on each cover sheet (e.g., date of
correspondence; date of accession) is already recorded
electronically on the AGD's document management system and should
therefore be able to be retrieved electronically by the
department's database administrator.
If it is the case that you intend to satisfy my request through a
manual compilation of the information sought, the resulting cost to
me will be far greater than it would be were you to generate the
same list through electronic means. If this is not possible, I
would be grateful if you would explain to me why that is.
Otherwise, I consent to your request for an extension of time.
Thank you for your assistance on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Patterson
-----Original Message-----
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
AGD FOI matter no. 13/135
I refer to your request for access to documents relating to the
National Security Hotline (NSH) under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act).
I would like to request your consent to an extension of time to
enable us to complete your request. Under section 15AA of the FOI,
I am empowered to seek your written agreement for an extension of
up to 30 days. The reason I am seeking this extension is that the
category of documents that you have requested may date back as far
as 27 December 2002 (the commencement date of the NSH). We are in
the process of recalling all related files from storage to
determine their relevance to your request.
At present, the due date for completion of this matter is Wednesday
18 September 2013. Should you agreed to a 30 day extension, your
request would fall due on Friday 18 October 2013.
Would you please advise us in writing whether you agree to this
extension.
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #355 email]
Write your response as plain text. Only send PDF documents as a
last resort. Government guidelines make it clear that PDF is not an
acceptable format for you to use in the delivery of government
information.
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
If you have received this transmission in error please
notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all
copies. If this e-mail or any attachments have been sent
to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver
of any confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect
of information in the e-mail or attachments.
UNCLASSIFIED
Mr Patterson
Re: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I can confirm that no charges will be imposed on this occasion (the first five hours of decision making time in processing an FOI request are free).
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: FOI Requests
Sent: Tuesday, 10 September 2013 10:54 AM
To: 'Phil Patterson'
Subject: RE: AGD FOI matter no. 13/135 - Mr Phil Patterson - re NSH documents - seeking extension of time [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
Re: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I refer to your e-mail below.
Advice from the relevant line area of this Department is that the information that you seek is stored in hardcopy form. For this reason, all related hardcopy documents have been recalled from storage. We are now in the process of collating the information that you seek (from the hardcopy documents), into a single, discreet electronic document. I trust that the creation of this electronic summary document will address your needs. To clarify, we are generating the document that you seek through electronic means.
Thank you for your grant of 30 day extension of processing time under s 15AA of the FOI Act on 10 September 2013. Advice from the relevant line area is that the work on this matter is progressing as planned. For this reason, the department is unlikely to require the full 30 days as granted.
If you wish to discuss this matter, please call the departmental switchboard on (02) 6141 6666 and ask to be put through to the FOI & Privacy Section (refer to AGD FOI matter number 13/135 at that time).
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Patterson [mailto:[FOI #355 email]]
Sent: Tuesday, 10 September 2013 10:14 AM
To: FOI Requests
Subject: Re: AGD FOI matter no. 13/135 - Mr Phil Patterson - re NSH documents - seeking extension of time [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: AGD FOI matter 13/135
I refer to your email dated 6 September 2013 seeking my consent to
an extension of time under section 15AA of the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
In particular, I note that you say you are recalling files from
storage to ascertain their relevance to my request. I acknowledge
the information sought by me is typically recorded on the cover
sheet usually attached to items of correspondence received by the
Attorney General's Department (AGD). However, as I understand it,
the information displayed on each cover sheet (e.g., date of
correspondence; date of accession) is already recorded
electronically on the AGD's document management system and should
therefore be able to be retrieved electronically by the
department's database administrator.
If it is the case that you intend to satisfy my request through a
manual compilation of the information sought, the resulting cost to
me will be far greater than it would be were you to generate the
same list through electronic means. If this is not possible, I
would be grateful if you would explain to me why that is.
Otherwise, I consent to your request for an extension of time.
Thank you for your assistance on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Phil Patterson
-----Original Message-----
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
AGD FOI matter no. 13/135
I refer to your request for access to documents relating to the
National Security Hotline (NSH) under the Freedom of Information
Act 1982 (FOI Act).
I would like to request your consent to an extension of time to
enable us to complete your request. Under section 15AA of the FOI,
I am empowered to seek your written agreement for an extension of
up to 30 days. The reason I am seeking this extension is that the
category of documents that you have requested may date back as far
as 27 December 2002 (the commencement date of the NSH). We are in
the process of recalling all related files from storage to
determine their relevance to your request.
At present, the due date for completion of this matter is Wednesday
18 September 2013. Should you agreed to a 30 day extension, your
request would fall due on Friday 18 October 2013.
Would you please advise us in writing whether you agree to this
extension.
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[AGD request email]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #355 email]
Write your response as plain text. Only send PDF documents as a
last resort. Government guidelines make it clear that PDF is not an
acceptable format for you to use in the delivery of government
information.
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
If you have received this transmission in error please
notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all
copies. If this e-mail or any attachments have been sent
to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver
of any confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect
of information in the e-mail or attachments.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Patterson
Please find attached a decision letter of the Department in response to your FOI application.
Kind Regards
FOI Contact Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Section | Office of Corporate Counsel Attorney-General's Department | 3 - 5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Email: [AGD request email]
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Patterson [mailto:[FOI #355 email]]
Sent: Monday, 19 August 2013 1:35 PM
To: FOI Requests
Subject: TRIM: Freedom of Information request - National Security Hotline Correspondence
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 ("the Act"). In
accordance with section 15 of the Act, I request that you provide
me with the following information:
A record of each item of postal correspondence received by (or
otherwise intended for or determined to be for the attention of)
The Australian Government National Security Hotline on or before 1
March 2003, including such correspondence as may have been
received, collected and/or stored by the Attorney-General's
Department at any time prior to 1 March 2003, including:-
- The date of each item of correspondence, as is normally recorded
in respect of correspondence received by the Attorney-General's
Department using the TRIM document management system at that time
(i.e., 2003);
- The corresponding date on which each item of correspondence so
received was accessioned onto the Attorney-General's Department
TRIM document management system;
- Unless determined to be violative of the Attorney-General's
Department privacy guidelines, the corresponding post code for each
item of correspondence so recorded.
I do not require that the records herein requested include any
details identifying names, addresses, or content in respect of any
of the relevant correspondence.
Yours faithfully,
Phil Patterson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #355 email]
Is [AGD request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Attorney-General's Department? If so, please
contact us using this form:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/contact
Write your response as plain text. Only send PDF documents as a
last resort. Government guidelines make it clear that PDF is not an
acceptable format for you to use in the delivery of government
information.
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offic...
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
If you have received this transmission in error please
notify us immediately by return e-mail and delete all
copies. If this e-mail or any attachments have been sent
to you in error, that error does not constitute waiver
of any confidentiality, privilege or copyright in respect
of information in the e-mail or attachments.