Question Time Briefs
Dear Department of Social Services,
I seek access under the FOI Act 1982 to Question Time briefs (however described). This request is limited to Question Time briefs for the 47th Parliament (ie Question Time briefs prepared for 27 – 28 July and 1-4 August 2022).
I also request a copy of the Department’s current index of Question Time briefs.
Duplicate copies of the same document are not required, although different or updated versions of a document are. If a document contains tracked changes or comments, it is requested that the document be provided in a form where all tracked changes and comments are visible.
Names and contact details for departmental staff below the SES level are not required and can be treated as irrelevant under s22 of the Act for the purposes of this request.
Yours faithfully,
BE
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear BE,
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 4 August 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
”Question Time briefs (however described). This request is limited to
Question Time briefs for the 47th Parliament (ie Question Time briefs
prepared for 27 – 28 July and 1-4 August 2022). I also request a copy of
the Department’s current index of Question Time briefs.”
Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details
I note that you have already consented to the removal of the names and
contact details for departmental staff below the Senior Executive Service
Level (SES).
Decision due
The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, the decision on your
request would be due on 3 August 2022, however due to this date being a
Sunday, your request is currently due on 5 August 2022.
When the processing period may be extended or suspended
The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.
Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.
The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].
Yours sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annabelle
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear BE,
I apologise for recalling the previous email, but it contained the
incorrect due date.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 4 August 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
”Question Time briefs (however described). This request is limited to
Question Time briefs for the 47th Parliament (ie Question Time briefs
prepared for 27 – 28 July and 1-4 August 2022). I also request a copy of
the Department’s current index of Question Time briefs.”
Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details
I note that you have already consented to the removal of the names and
contact details for departmental staff below the Senior Executive Service
Level (SES).
Decision due
The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, the decision on your
request would be due on 3 September 2022, however due to this date being a
Sunday, your request is currently due on 5 September 2022.
When the processing period may be extended or suspended
The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.
Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.
The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].
Yours sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annabelle Spence
Graduate FOI Officer
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [2][email address] P: (02) 6146 3011
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear BE,
I refer to your request for documents under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (the FOI Act), made on 13 July 2022.
I am writing to you because at present, the scope of your request is too
large for the Department to process.
While your request in its current form excludes duplicates it specifically
includes all different or updated versions of a document. This may include
documents which are not currently held on our Parliamentary Document
Management System (PDMS). This would require a significant number of
searches across the Department. Due to the number of searches required,
the Department considers that a practical refusal reason exists as
outlined in [1]section 24AA of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act).
Invitation to revise scope
I am now writing to provide you with an opportunity to engage with the
Department to revise the scope of your request, to remove the practical
refusal reasons informally.
You may wish to consider revising the scope of your request to focus on
the current version of QTBs as held in the PDMS as at the date of your
request. We have undertaken a preliminary search of the QTBs that were
held in PDMS as at the date of your request and many of them have a number
of versions. These different versions may be identical and simply created
during the PDMS QA process but each version would have to be compared to
the subsequent version in order to provide you with all versions as you
have requested. One of the QTBs has over 100 versions while a significant
number of others have more than 40 versions.
Any draft version of a QTB would also have to be assessed for deliberative
matter. Although not all draft versions of documents are considered
deliberative, and whilst deliberative matter that subsequently formed part
of the final released document may not present a problem in itself, other
matter that was being deliberated, but that did not form part of the final
released document may be exempt under section 47C of the FOI Act. Given
the number of documents involved, assessing all draft documents for
deliberative matter would substantially and unreasonably divert the
resources of the agency from its other operations.
You would of course be free to make subsequent FOI requests in relation to
those QTBs in which you have the most interest.
Next steps
Please respond by 12.00 noon 19 August 2022 to indicate whether you wish
to:
a) revise your scope; or
b) keep your scope as it is.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out
to us.
Yours sincerely,
Paula
FOI Officer
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][email address]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
From: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 8:41 AM
To: [FOI #9227 email]
Cc: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: FOI LEX 45273 - Acknowledgement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear BE,
I apologise for recalling the previous email, but it contained the
incorrect due date.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 4 August 2022, in which you requested access
under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:
”Question Time briefs (however described). This request is limited to
Question Time briefs for the 47th Parliament (ie Question Time briefs
prepared for 27 – 28 July and 1-4 August 2022). I also request a copy of
the Department’s current index of Question Time briefs.”
Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details
I note that you have already consented to the removal of the names and
contact details for departmental staff below the Senior Executive Service
Level (SES).
Decision due
The statutory period for processing your request is 30 days commencing
from the day after your request was received. If the due date falls on a
Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance with the FOI guidelines
issued by the Australian Information Commissioner, the timeframe will
expire on the first day following which is none of those days.
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, the decision on your
request would be due on 3 September 2022, however due to this date being a
Sunday, your request is currently due on 5 September 2022.
When the processing period may be extended or suspended
The current due date may be extended by up to 30 days if agreed by you
(section 15AA of the FOI Act). The due date may also be extended by an
additional 30 days in each instance, if your request is considered
voluminous or complex (section 15AB of the FOI Act) or if the Department
is required to undertake a third party consultation (sections 26A, 27 or
27A of the FOI Act). If any of these extensions apply, the Department will
notify you.
Additionally, there are occasions where the time to process your request
may be suspended. This will usually take place if a practical refusal
consultation process takes place (section 24AB of the FOI Act) or if a
charges notice is issued to process your request (section 29 of the FOI
Act). If the Department decides that either of these apply to your
request, the Department will notify you.
The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [3][Department of Social Services request email].
Yours sincerely,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annabelle Spence
Graduate FOI Officer
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [4][email address] P: (02) 6146 3011
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
4. mailto:[email address]
Dear FOI,
I am happy to reduce the scope to the current version of the QTBs held by the Department on 4 August 2022, being the date of my request. In addition, I still request a copy of the index as at that date.
Yours sincerely,
BE
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear BE,
I refer to your request for documents under the Freedom of Information
Act, which seeks access to a copy of an index of the relevant QTBs held by
the Department on 4 August 2022.
While such an index did not exist prior to receipt of your FOI request,
the FOI decision statement which you will be provided with will contain a
schedule of the relevant QTBs.
Could you please confirm whether this will satisfy the terms of your
request?
Yours sincerely,
Paula
FOI Officer
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [1][email address]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
Dear FOI,
Yes I confirm that the schedule of documents is sufficient for that aspect of my request.
Thank you very much!
Yours sincerely,
BE
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear BE,
FOI request LEX 45273 – Question Time Briefs for the 47th Parliament and
related index – Request to revise scope and extension of time by agreement
to 19 September 2022
We write in relation to the FOI request you submitted to the Department of
Social Services (the Department) on 4 August 2022.
Thank you again for taking the time to revise the scope of your request,
it has helped to identify a slightly more manageable set of documents.
Request for extension of time
As advised in our earlier email, a decision on your FOI request is due by
Monday, 5 September 2022.
The Department has progressed your FOI request, with documents collated
and a list developed of the Question Time Briefs that have been
identified. These are all the QTBs that the Department sent to relevant
Ministers’ Offices. We do however need some additional time to assess and
make a decision on your request. As such, we seek your agreement to an
extension of time under section 15AA of the Freedom of Information Act
1982 until Monday, 19 September 2022.
Request to revise the scope of your request
As evidenced in the attached list, there is a significant number of
Question Time Briefs that have been identified. To ensure the Department
can issue a decision within the extended timeframe (if agreed), we ask you
to review the attached list and consider revising the scope of your
request to a more specific set of QTBs. We can then ensure the revised
scope is agreed and request finalised.
We would be grateful if you could respond to our email by Monday, 5
September 2022. If not, we might need to seek an extension of time from
the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Please note
that whenever an extension of time is agreed to by an applicant or is
sought from the OAIC, the Department is required to provide your name
(where known) and contact details to the OAIC. More information about
extensions of time can be found on the OAIC’s website at
[1]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....
If you have any questions about this request, please do not hesitate to
the contact the FOI team.
Kind Regards,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [2][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
Thank you for your email. I have reviewed the list of QTBs and confirm that I wish to proceed with the FOI for the QTBs - noting that the request has already been reduced in accordance with your recommendation for a revised scope that would be appropriate.
However, I would be willing to provide you with a longer extension (to 30 September 2022) to ensure that you have sufficient time to process the request.
Yours sincerely,
BE
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear BE,
Thank you for your email confirming your agreement to an extension of time
to provide the decision. You have agreed for the Department to provide
the decision and documents to you by 30 September 2022.
We will advise the Office of the Information Commissioner of this agreed
extension.
We confirm the scope of your request to include all the active QTBs as at
4 August 2022 as provided by the Department to the relevant Ministers’
Offices. Each QTB is prepared and sent to the relevant Ministers’ Office
at some time prior to the sitting week. The date of each QTB will be the
date the QTB was sent to the relevant Ministers Office.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns with this scope.
Kind Regards,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear BE,
FOI LEX 45273 – Decision and Documents
Please find attached the decision in response to your Freedom of
Information request submitted to the Department of Social Services on 4
August 2022.
In accordance with the decision, we provide a bundle of the Question Time
Briefs Document (as at 4 August 2022).
For your reference, we also attach a document providing information in
relation to your review rights.
Kind Regards,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information Section
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]