Request for the contract or agreement between Department of Social Services and the Social Deck
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please provide a copy of the contract or agreement between the Department of Social Services and the Social Deck for the Foundational Supports consultation and report commissioned in 2024.
I agree to the removal of all personal or identifying information.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Little
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
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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.
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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]
Good morning Ben
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 24 June 2025, in which you requested access under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to:
‘the contract or agreement between the Department of Social Services and
the Social Deck for the Foundational Supports consultation and report
commissioned in 2024’
The decision for this request is currently due on 24 July 2025. This
timeframe may be extended, for example, where the Department decides to
consult with third parties. We will inform you if this occurs.
Removal of certain information from the scope of your request
We note you have excluded all personal or identifying information where
present in the documents that fall within the scope of the request.
The Department is seeking your agreement to also exclude the following
information from the scope of your request where it is not available from
public sources:
o group email addresses used for internal departmental purposes;
o duplicate copies of, or parts of, documents (so the information is
only released once); and
o bank account details of third parties.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday 30 June to confirm your
agreement to this change.
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].
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
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Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Little <[FOI #13329 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 24 June 2025 8:44 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Request for the contract or
agreement between Department of Social Services and the Social Deck
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please provide a copy of the contract or agreement between the Department
of Social Services and the Social Deck for the Foundational Supports
consultation and report commissioned in 2024.
I agree to the removal of all personal or identifying information.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Little
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FOI #13329 email]
Is [4][Department of Social Services request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Social Services? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[5]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[6]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
3. mailto:[FOI #13329 email]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
5. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear DSS FOI Team,
I agree to the removal of:
- group email addresses used for internal departmental purposes;
- duplicate copies of, or parts of, documents (so the information is
only released once); and
- bank account details of third parties.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Little
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]
Good afternoon Ben
The Department has decided to undertake third party consultation in
respect of FOI request LEX 54069 and has extended the statutory timeframe
by 30 days until 25 August 2025 to allow it to do so. We will provide you
with a decision by or on this date.
Should you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to reach
out to us at [1][email address].
Regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services, Audit and Assurance Group
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:[email address]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Ben,
I refer to your request FOI LEX 54069 received by the Department of Social
Services. Please be informed that due to the Machinery of Government (MOG)
change your request has been transferred to the Department of Health,
Disability and Ageing (the department) for access to documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
The scope of your request is as follows:
‘the contract or agreement between the Department of Social Services and
the Social Deck for the Foundational Supports consultation and report
commissioned in 2024’
Request for extension of time
The statutory due date for your request is currently Saturday 23 August
2025.
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the department to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
Due to the MOG change, the department is seeking the extension of time to
ensure that department has undertaken all reasonable steps to prepare all
documents relevant to your request, and for the decision maker to make an
informed and well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, the department is seeking your agreement to an extension of 16
calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 8
September 2025. The department will, however, continue to process your
request as quickly as possible.
If we do not hear from you or if you do not agree to the extension, the
department may consider seeking an extension of time from the Office of
the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the
FOI Act.
We seek your response to the above matters by COB Tuesday 19 August 2025.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[1][email address].
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
Dear Tritiya
I am concerned by another request for time extension.
I am also concerned by the request move from DSS to DHDA, and am fearful that this will be used as a technical reason to avoid providing any information.
I agree to the time extension, but I am very concerned by the governments lack of transparency regarding the extensive public Foundational Supports consultations held in the second half of 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Little
Dear Ben,
Thank you for your agreement to our request for an extension of time.
We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to process your request.
Please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at [1][email address]
should you have any questions.
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners
of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to
elders both past and present
-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Little <[FOI #13329 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 1:18 PM
To: FOI <[email address]>
Subject: Re: FOI LEX 54069 - Request for an extension of time - seeking
response COB Tuesday 19 August 2025 [SEC=OFFICIAL]
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our
organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Tritiya
I am concerned by another request for time extension.
I am also concerned by the request move from DSS to DHDA, and am fearful
that this will be used as a technical reason to avoid providing any
information.
I agree to the time extension, but I am very concerned by the governments
lack of transparency regarding the extensive public Foundational Supports
consultations held in the second half of 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Little
-----Original Message-----
Dear Ben,
I refer to your request FOI LEX 54069 received by the Department of
Social Services. Please be informed that due to the Machinery of
Government (MOG) change your request has been transferred to the
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the department) for access
to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
The scope of your request is as follows:
‘the contract or agreement between the Department of Social Services and
the Social Deck for the Foundational Supports consultation and report
commissioned in 2024’
Request for extension of time
The statutory due date for your request is currently Saturday 23 August
2025.
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the department to extend the
statutory processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up
to 30 calendar days.
Due to the MOG change, the department is seeking the extension of time to
ensure that department has undertaken all reasonable steps to prepare all
documents relevant to your request, and for the decision maker to make an
informed and well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, the department is seeking your agreement to an extension of
16 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 8
September 2025. The department will, however, continue to process your
request as quickly as possible.
If we do not hear from you or if you do not agree to the extension, the
department may consider seeking an extension of time from the Office of
the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the
FOI Act.
We seek your response to the above matters by COB Tuesday 19 August 2025.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at [1][email
address].
Kind Regards,
Tritiya
Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice and Legislation
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional
owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection
to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their
cultures, and to elders both past and present
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. [3]mailto:[email address]
2. [4]mailto:[email address]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #13329 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[6]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email
4. mailto:[email
5. mailto:[FOI #13329 email]
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...