Records relating to Ministerial Correspondence
Dear Attorney-General's Department
I write to request access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth).
I seek access to documents from the Parliamentary Document Management System which constitute the Parliamentary Document Record (PDR) for each item of Ministerial Correspondence below:
1. MC22-024299
2. MC23-005187
For the avoidance of doubt, I am seeking the whole electronic file relating to each item of correspondence, including (without limitation) drafts, revisions, internal and external referrals, records from all 'tabs' and 'panels', and all other documentary records which constitute the PDR Lifecycle.
I am content to receive any such documents in electronic form.
If the scope of documents sought will require extensive review, such that a grant of access may not be possible within 30 days of this request, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss ways that the request can be refined.
Yours faithfully,
(Not the real) Bob Neil
Your email has been received by the Freedom of Information and Privacy
Section of the Attorney-General's Department. Please note that we will
only action and respond to FOI requests and other matters relating to the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). For information on how to
make an FOI request please refer to the FOI page on the department's
website at:
[1]https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protect....
If your email relates to the FOI Act, we will contact you shortly to
acknowledge and/or respond to your request. Please do not send duplicate
emails as this may cause delays in response time-frames.
For matters not relating to the Freedom of Information Act 1982, please
refer to the ‘Contact us' page on the department's website at:
[2]https://www.ag.gov.au/about-us/connect-u....
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
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OFFICIAL
Dear Bob,
Freedom of Information Request FOI23/352
I refer to your request to the Attorney-General's Department (the
department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access
to documents.
Your request is for:
“I seek access to documents from the Parliamentary Document Management
System which constitute the Parliamentary Document Record (PDR) for each
item of Ministerial Correspondence below:
1. MC22-024299
2. MC23-005187
For the avoidance of doubt, I am seeking the whole electronic file
relating to each item of correspondence, including (without limitation)
drafts, revisions, internal and external referrals, records from all
'tabs' and 'panels', and all other documentary records which constitute
the PDR Lifecycle.
I am content to receive any such documents in electronic form.”
The department received your request on 12 July 2023 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 11 August
2023. However, the period of 30 days may be extended if the department
needs to consult third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if
this happens.
The department's practice is to not disclose personal information of staff
of the department and other government authorities, where that information
is not publicly known or routinely disclosed (e.g. names of junior
officers and contact information). The names of senior officers will
generally be disclosed. In addition, duplicates and incomplete email
chains within the scope of the FOI request will be excluded.
Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published online on the
department's disclosure log
[1]http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtection....
If you have any questions, please contact me by telephone on (02) 6141
6666 or by email to [2][email address].
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
OFFICIAL
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
References
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1. http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtection...
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear FOI Officer,
Thank you for your reply, acknowleding my request.
I respectfully advise that I do not necessarily agree with the FOI request being processed in the manner that you have described with regard to the redaction of names, and possibly also with regard to the exclusion of certain types of documents, e.g. incomplete email chains.
I do not take issue with the exclusion of duplicates or incomplete emails, provided that the effect is only to exclude documents that have been otherwise produced. I am uncertain what is meant by "incomplete email chains". I presume that you intend to only produce the "complete" copy of an email chain, i.e. that which contains all prior emails in the chain, rather than producing copies of each successive email in the chain. If that is the case, that will be satisfactory, on the proviso that you ensure that all "incomplete chains" are checked to find any replies or forwarding of emails which may have occurred outside of the "complete" chain of emails provided.
I do not take issue with you wholly redacting the names of individual public servants, provided that it will not make it difficult to understand the role played by various participants in the sequence of activities recorded in the PDR/PDMS. I have no particular interest in the personal information of government employees, per se. Nor do I seek access to contact details of any government employees. If the Department intends to redact the documents to conceal the names of individual employees involved, then each redacted name should be given a numerical identifier, i.e. Employee 1, Employee 2, etc. so that it is still possible to make sense of the records. The position title and department of each individual employee should also be provided. Senior employees should be identified by name, consistent with your current process.
Please confirm that the request will be processed on the above basis.
Yours sincerely,
(Not the real) Bob Neil
OFFICIAL
Dear Bob
Freedom of Information Request FOI23/352
I refer to your request to the Attorney-General's Department (the
department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access
to documents.
The purpose of this email is to advise you that the period for processing
your request has been extended by 30 days to allow the department to
undertake consultation with a third party.
The new date for the completion of your FOI request is 11 September 2023.
The FOI Act requires the department to consult with third parties before
making a decision about the release of documents containing their
information.
More information is available on the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner's Website. Information about extensions of time can be
accessed from:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
If you have any questions, please contact me by telephone on (02) 6141
6666 or by email to [1][email address].
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
OFFICIAL
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
References
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1. mailto:[email address]
Dear applicant,
I refer to your FOI request, FOI23/352. I am writing to request a minor
revision of your scope.
We have completed our searches for your request and have identified
multiple versions of documents which reveal to be updated versions of the
same document submitted throughout time. Can I please confirm that you
would just accept the final version of the relevant documents?
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
Dear FOI Requests,
Thank you for your email, requesting clarification with regard to scope.
It is unnecessary to provide me with multiple copies of identical documents.
I would note, however, that if any variation or change appears in the documents "submitted throughout time", then they cannot properly be considered "identical".
I have specifically asked to receive all iterations and revisions of drafts leading up to the issued "final draft". If you can be more specific about any differences that might be apparent in the various "updated drafts", then I would be willing to consult further on this question.
For example, if I am satisfied that any variations between the updated drafts are immaterial, then omitting duplicates may be acceptable. I cannot say whether this could be the case without further information.
Yours sincerely,
(Not the real) Bob Neil
OFFICIAL
Good morning
The department has identified 2 final response letters and 32 drafts of
those letters. To give context, new drafts are created following any saved
change, even if very minor. Consistent with your email of 18 July 2023, 5
of these drafts have been removed as identical/duplicate. We have analysed
the in-scope draft documents, and identified the following changes to some
of the remaining drafts which we seek your agreement to remove from the
scope of the request on the basis that they are minor amendments or may
not be relevant information. I note that if you agree to these exclusions,
there would still be multiple drafts in scope. These documents will
include drafts with substantial input of content or additions and track
changes or comments added to earlier drafts.
We wish to emphasise that we are requesting these refinements to the scope
to simplify the processing of your request and to do so more efficiently,
while still providing you the information you are seeking.
Proposed drafts for exclusion from scope:
o Empty, system created templates, and templates which include only
addressee details.
o Documents with administrative changes, such as:
o Correcting typographical errors, updating dates or making
formatting changes
o Changing departmental contact details or addresses contact
details
o Minor (non-significant) language or stylistic changes, such as to
introductory or acknowledgement language, or to add or remove
small numbers of words for the stylistic reasons.
o Amendments to the department’s internal processing instructions,
for example the due date to complete the response
o Where a tracked changed version of a document is in scope, the earlier
version of the document is out of scope, on the basis it is a
duplicate of the tracked changes document.
o Where a draft only has text added from an earlier version with no
deletions, the earlier version of the document is out of scope.
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
OFFICIAL
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
Dear Alistair
As per your email of 1 September 2023, I consent to your proposed refinement of scope to remove immaterial duplications of draft correspondence.
Yours sincerely,
(Not the real) Bob Neil
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
Freedom of Information Request FOI23/352
I refer to your request to the Attorney-General's Department (the
department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access
to documents.
The purpose of my email is to seek your agreement to extend the processing
period for your request. Further information about this, including my
reasons for requesting an extension from you, has been set out below for
your consideration and response.
Extension of Time Request
Under s 15AA of the FOI Act, an agency may extend the initial processing
period for dealing with a request by a further period of no more than 30
days if the applicant agrees in writing to the extension and the agency
gives written notice of the extension to the Information Commissioner as
soon as practicable after the agreement is made.
I would like to request your agreement to extend the processing period for
your request by 21 days. I am requesting this extension of time from you
to ensure the department has sufficient time to process and finalise your
request in accordance with the FOI Act. Please be assured that we are
working to process your request as quickly as possible and your request is
at an advanced stage of the process. However, going through the volume of
drafts on file and consultation regarding potential disclosure of
documents to you is taking longer than originally anticipated.
If you agree to the requested extension of up to 21 days, please let me
know in writing at your earliest convenience.
The statutory period for processing your request is currently 11
September 2023.
If you agree to the requested extension, the new due date will be 3
October 2023. However, the department will make every effort to provide a
decision to you as soon as possible.
Please note that if you agree to the extension, the department is required
to notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, including
your name and contact details.
If you have any questions, please contact me by telephone on (02) 6141
6666 or by email to [1][email address].
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
OFFICIAL
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Good afternoon,
We would be grateful for your urgent response to our previous email in
relation to the request for extension as the matter is due today.
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
From: FOI Requests <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 8 September 2023 3:36 PM
To: [FOI #10458 email]
Cc: FOI Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Request for extension of time: FOI23/352 - Attorney-General's
Department [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
Freedom of Information Request FOI23/352
I refer to your request to the Attorney-General's Department (the
department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access
to documents.
The purpose of my email is to seek your agreement to extend the processing
period for your request. Further information about this, including my
reasons for requesting an extension from you, has been set out below for
your consideration and response.
Extension of Time Request
Under s 15AA of the FOI Act, an agency may extend the initial processing
period for dealing with a request by a further period of no more than 30
days if the applicant agrees in writing to the extension and the agency
gives written notice of the extension to the Information Commissioner as
soon as practicable after the agreement is made.
I would like to request your agreement to extend the processing period for
your request by 21 days. I am requesting this extension of time from you
to ensure the department has sufficient time to process and finalise your
request in accordance with the FOI Act. Please be assured that we are
working to process your request as quickly as possible and your request is
at an advanced stage of the process. However, going through the volume of
drafts on file and consultation regarding potential disclosure of
documents to you is taking longer than originally anticipated.
If you agree to the requested extension of up to 21 days, please let me
know in writing at your earliest convenience.
The statutory period for processing your request is currently 11
September 2023.
If you agree to the requested extension, the new due date will be 3
October 2023. However, the department will make every effort to provide a
decision to you as soon as possible.
Please note that if you agree to the extension, the department is required
to notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, including
your name and contact details.
If you have any questions, please contact me by telephone on (02) 6141
6666 or by email to [1][email address].
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [2][email address]
OFFICIAL
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
Our reference: RQ23/04984
Agency reference: FOI23/352
(Not the real) Bob Neil
By email: [FOI #10458 email]
Extension of time application by the Attorney-General’s Department
Dear (Not the real) Bob Neil
I write to advise that on 22 September 2023 the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (the OAIC) received an application from the
Attorney-General’s Department (the Department) for an extension of time,
to process your FOI request of 12 July 2023.
The Department has applied for further time to deal with your request
under s 15AC of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) because the FOI
Act deems that the Department has refused your request, as the initial
decision period for your request has ended and the Department has not
provided you with notice of a decision.
Please find attached the Department’s reasons for its application.
The Department has requested an extension to 24 October 2023. A decision
maker at the OAIC will take any comments you may have to make into account
when deciding the application.
Please respond to this email by close of business 29 September 2023. If we
do not hear from you by this date, the decision maker at the OAIC will
make a decision on the basis of the information provided to the OAIC by
the Department.
You will be notified of the decision once the matter has been finalised.
Further information about extension of time requests may be found on our
website at [1]Extensions of time.
Contact
If you have any questions about this email, please contact me on 1300 363
992 or at [2][email address]. Please quote OAIC reference: RQ23/04984 in
all correspondence.
Kind regards
[3][IMG] Bernie Lai <he/him>
Assistant Director | Freedom of Information Branch
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
P 1300 363 992 E [4][email address]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[5]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
Our reference: RQ23/04984
Agency reference: FOI23/352
(Not the real) Bob Neil
By email: [1][FOI #10458 email]
CC: [2][email address]
Extension of time under s 15AC
Dear (Not the real) Bob Neil
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to your FOI
request with the Attorney-general's Department, which is copied in this
email.
Regards,
[3][IMG] Bernie Lai <he/him>
Assistant Director | Freedom of Information Branch
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
P 1300 363 992 E [4][email address]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[5]Subscribe to Information Matters
Notice:
The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #10458 email]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
4. mailto:[email address]
5. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...
OFFICIAL
Dear applicant
Freedom of Information Request FOI23/352
I refer to your request to the Attorney-General's Department (the
department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for access
to documents.
The purpose of this email is to provide you with a decision in response to
that request.
Please find attached:
o decision letter, including:
o review rights,
o schedule of documents,
o statement of reasons, and
o documents.
If you have any questions, please contact me by telephone on (02) 6141
6666 or by email to [1][email address].
Kind regards
Alistair
Case Officer | Freedom of Information & Privacy | Strategy & Governance
Branch
Attorney-General’s Department
Phone (02) 6141 6666 | Email [email address]
OFFICIAL
The Attorney-General’s Department may collect your personal information
where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our
functions, including those under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) and the Privacy Act 1988. We may collect your name, email address and
telephone number so that we can contact you about your request or privacy
complaint. If your request concerns accessing or correcting your personal
information, we will collect the minimum amount of evidence necessary to
verify your identity. We hold personal information in accordance with the
Privacy Act and our privacy policy. If you have an enquiry or complaint
about your privacy, please contact the Privacy Officer on 02 6141 6666 or
via e-mail [email address].
If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by
return email and delete all copies. If this email 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
email or attachments.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]