Seeking evidence Department informed Minister of commercial security contractors awarded HOSM with clasp 'Indian Ocean'
Dear Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
1. Please provide a copy of the document recording the Department's initial advice to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister informing the PSPM that the HOSM with 'Indian Occean' clasp was awarded to commercial security contractors supporting the General Electric humanitarian operation in Banda Aceh
2. Mr Peter Rush held delegated duties to administer the HOSM program. Please provide a copy of any document recording Mr Rush's advice regarding the commercial security contractors serving with the GE contingent in Banda Aceh
Yours faithfully,
Trav S
OFFICIAL
Reference: FOI/2024/238
Dear Trav S
Thank you for your email of 23 July 2024 in which you made a request
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department).
You set out the terms of the request as follows:
1. Please provide a copy of the document recording the Department's
initial advice to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
informing the PSPM that the HOSM with 'Indian Occean' clasp was awarded to
commercial security contractors supporting the General Electric
humanitarian operation in Banda Aceh
2. Mr Peter Rush held delegated duties to administer the HOSM program.
Please provide a copy of any document recording Mr Rush's advice regarding
the commercial security contractors serving with the GE contingent in
Banda Aceh
Timeframe for receiving your decision
The 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the
day after the Department received your request, you should therefore
expect a decision from us by 22 August 2024.
The processing period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances
and we will write to you separately regarding any extension of time.
Charges
Agencies may decide that an applicant is liable to pay a charge in respect
of a request for access to documents. If the Department decides that you
are liable to pay a charge, we will send you a preliminary assessment of
the charge as soon as possible.
Publication of documents
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on our disclosure log at
[1]https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/depart...,
subject to certain exceptions. If you think you might wish to raise any
objections to the publication of any of the information which may be
released to you please contact us by email at [2][DPMC request email]. If you
do wish to object to the publication of information, you would need to
provide supporting reasons.
Exclusion of officers’ names and contact details
For documents that fall within scope of the request, it is the
Department’s policy to withhold:
· any person’s signature;
· the names and contact details of Australian Public Service
officers not in the Senior Executive Service (SES);
· the mobile or direct numbers of SES officers;
· the names and contact details of Ministerial staff at a level
below Chief of Staff.
If you consider that the information categorised above is relevant to the
terms of your request please let us know at [3][DPMC request email], otherwise
we will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the
scope of your request (that is, the information will be treated as
irrelevant and deleted from any documents for release). The names and
other details of SES officers will not be withheld unless there is some
reason for that information to be exempt from release.
Further information on FOI processing can be found at the website of the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
[4]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....
Yours sincerely
Janelle
Adviser | FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [5][email address] w. [6]pmc.gov.au
[7]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[8]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[9]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/depart...
2. mailto:[DPMC request email]
3. mailto:[DPMC request email]
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
7. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
8. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/231, FOI/2024/232, FOI/2024/233,
FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2024/239
Dear Trav S
I refer your five requests of 22, 23 and 26 July 2024 for access to
documents relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
The current due dates for a decisions on these requests are 21, 22 and 26
August 2024. We are seeking your agreement to short 14-day extensions
under section 15AA of the FOI Act to allow the Department sufficient time
to process these requests. We will endeavour to notify you of the
decisions on the requests prior to the extended due dates if possible.
If you agree to this request for a 14 day extensions of time, I ask that
you confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 16 August 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/231, FOI/2024/232, FOI/2024/233,
FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2024/239
Dear Trav S
I refer your five requests of 22, 23 and 26 July 2024 for access to
documents relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
The current due dates for a decisions on these requests are 21, 22 and 26
August 2024. We are seeking your agreement to short 14-day extensions
under section 15AA of the FOI Act to allow the Department sufficient time
to process these requests. We will endeavour to notify you of the
decisions on the requests prior to the extended due dates if possible.
If you agree to this request for a 14 day extensions of time, I ask that
you confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 16 August 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/231, FOI/2024/232, FOI/2024/233,
FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2024/239
Dear Trav S
I refer your five requests of 22, 23 and 26 July 2024 for access to
documents relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
The current due dates for a decisions on these requests are 21, 22 and 26
August 2024. We are seeking your agreement to short 14-day extensions
under section 15AA of the FOI Act to allow the Department sufficient time
to process these requests. We will endeavour to notify you of the
decisions on the requests prior to the extended due dates if possible.
If you agree to this request for a 14 day extensions of time, I ask that
you confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 16 August 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/231, FOI/2024/232, FOI/2024/233,
FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2024/239
Dear Trav S
I refer your five requests of 22, 23 and 26 July 2024 for access to
documents relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
The current due dates for a decisions on these requests are 21, 22 and 26
August 2024. We are seeking your agreement to short 14-day extensions
under section 15AA of the FOI Act to allow the Department sufficient time
to process these requests. We will endeavour to notify you of the
decisions on the requests prior to the extended due dates if possible.
If you agree to this request for a 14 day extensions of time, I ask that
you confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 16 August 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/231, FOI/2024/232, FOI/2024/233,
FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2024/239
Dear Trav S
I refer your five requests of 22, 23 and 26 July 2024 for access to
documents relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
The current due dates for a decisions on these requests are 21, 22 and 26
August 2024. We are seeking your agreement to short 14-day extensions
under section 15AA of the FOI Act to allow the Department sufficient time
to process these requests. We will endeavour to notify you of the
decisions on the requests prior to the extended due dates if possible.
If you agree to this request for a 14 day extensions of time, I ask that
you confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 16 August 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
Dear FOI,
I agree to the Department's proposed 14 day extension relating to the requests for documents below:
1. Please provide a copy of the document recording the Department's initial advice to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister informing the PSPM that the HOSM with 'Indian Occean' clasp was awarded to commercial security contractors supporting the General Electric humanitarian operation in Banda Aceh
2. Mr Peter Rush held delegated duties to administer the HOSM program. Please provide a copy of any document recording Mr Rush's advice regarding the commercial security contractors serving with the GE contingent in Banda Aceh
Yours sincerely,
Trav S
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/233 & FOI/2024/238
Dear Trav S
I refer your requests of 22 and 23 July 2024 for access to documents
relating to relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
Thank you for your previous agreement to extend the processing period for
these requests by 14 days. The processing of the requests has progressed;
however, neither matter will be ready for finalisation by current due
dates of 4 and 5 September 2024.
Accordingly, we are seeking your agreement to a second short extension of
7 days for these requests. This will mean that a decisions would be
required by 11 and 12 September 2024 respectively. You agreement will help
to ensure that the Department can make decisions with the processing
period which will in turn mean that your right to internal review is
preserved.
If you agree to this request for 7-day extensions of time, I ask that you
confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 4 September 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser | FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
OFFICIAL
Departmental references: FOI/2024/233 & FOI/2024/238
Dear Trav S
I refer your requests of 22 and 23 July 2024 for access to documents
relating to relating to the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal held by
the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.
Thank you for your previous agreement to extend the processing period for
these requests by 14 days. The processing of the requests has progressed;
however, neither matter will be ready for finalisation by current due
dates of 4 and 5 September 2024.
Accordingly, we are seeking your agreement to a second short extension of
7 days for these requests. This will mean that a decisions would be
required by 11 and 12 September 2024 respectively. You agreement will help
to ensure that the Department can make decisions with the processing
period which will in turn mean that your right to internal review is
preserved.
If you agree to this request for 7-day extensions of time, I ask that you
confirm this in writing via return email by COB on 4 September 2024.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Adviser | FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0
[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
______________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the
message from your computer system.
______________________________________________________________________
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...
Dear PMC,
I do not agree to further requests for extensions.
Dear OAIC,
I will be grateful if you will direct the Department to release the requested documents. Please note, I already agreed to a 14 day extension but cannot reasonably agree to a further extension.
The requested documents are related to several Information Commissioner ( IC ) reviews currently underway. The requested documents and the Department's statements of reasons are relevant to those cases and will contribute to informing the IC's weighing of the public interest factors in those cases. Further delays may affect efficient OAIC operations.
Thanks for your time.
Kind regards,
Trav S
Dear PMC,
I request an internal review of the Department's failure to respond to this request within the statutory timeframe.
I requested documents in July 2024. The Department now accepts the fact that Humanitarian Overseas Service Medals were awarded to commercial security contractors serving with the Australian contingent to General Electric. Please let me know if you would like me to amend or modify my request to assist with the search for documents.
Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Trav S
OFFICIAL
Dear Trav S
Apologies for the delay and thank you for your continued patience as we continue process your requests: FOI 2025/014, 2024/238, 2024/385 and 2024/386.
I can confirm the Department is working with the relevant area to process your requests as quickly as possible. Documents have been identified and we are currently consulting key stakeholders on their proposed release. The next steps will be to prepare the final document package and decision on access.
As a decision on these requests have not been made within the statutory timeframe, it is open to you to make a review application with the Australian Information Commissioner at the following Web Form:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
We anticipate a decision on your requests will be made within the next few weeks.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [email address] w. pmc.gov.au
The Department acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Elders and Traditional Custodians of Country, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
OFFICIAL
Dear Trav S
Apologies for the delay and thank you for your continued patience as we continue process your requests: FOI 2025/014, 2024/238, 2024/385 and 2024/386.
I can confirm the Department is working with the relevant area to process your requests as quickly as possible. Documents have been identified and we are currently consulting key stakeholders on their proposed release. The next steps will be to prepare the final document package and decision on access.
As a decision on these requests have not been made within the statutory timeframe, it is open to you to make a review application with the Australian Information Commissioner at the following Web Form:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
We anticipate a decision on your requests will be made within the next few weeks.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [email address] w. pmc.gov.au
The Department acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Elders and Traditional Custodians of Country, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
OFFICIAL
Dear Trav S
Apologies for the delay and thank you for your continued patience as we continue process your requests: FOI 2025/014, 2024/238, 2024/385 and 2024/386.
I can confirm the Department is working with the relevant area to process your requests as quickly as possible. Documents have been identified and we are currently consulting key stakeholders on their proposed release. The next steps will be to prepare the final document package and decision on access.
As a decision on these requests have not been made within the statutory timeframe, it is open to you to make a review application with the Australian Information Commissioner at the following Web Form:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
We anticipate a decision on your requests will be made within the next few weeks.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [email address] w. pmc.gov.au
The Department acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Elders and Traditional Custodians of Country, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
OFFICIAL
Dear Trav S
Apologies for the delay and thank you for your continued patience as we continue process your requests: FOI 2025/014, 2024/238, 2024/385 and 2024/386.
I can confirm the Department is working with the relevant area to process your requests as quickly as possible. Documents have been identified and we are currently consulting key stakeholders on their proposed release. The next steps will be to prepare the final document package and decision on access.
As a decision on these requests have not been made within the statutory timeframe, it is open to you to make a review application with the Australian Information Commissioner at the following Web Form:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
We anticipate a decision on your requests will be made within the next few weeks.
Kind regards
Adviser
FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [email address] w. pmc.gov.au
The Department acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Elders and Traditional Custodians of Country, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
OFFICIAL
Departmental reference: FOI 2024/238 and 2025/014
Dear Trav S
Please find attached the decision regarding your request under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982.
Kind regards,
Adviser | FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
______________________________________________________________________
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OFFICIAL
Departmental reference: FOI 2024/238 and 2025/014
Dear Trav S
Please find attached the decision regarding your request under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982.
Kind regards,
Adviser | FOI Section[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address] w. [2]pmc.gov.au
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Dear FOI,
Thank you for your 30 July 2025 decision in relation to my FOI requests FOI/2024/238 and FOI/2025/014.
I confirm that I wish to proceed with the Information Commissioner (IC) review.
The Department’s decision does not resolve the purpose of my request, which was to determine whether the Minister responsible for the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) program was ever officially informed that HOSMs had been awarded to commercial security contractors serving with the Australian contingent to the humanitarian relief operation of GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies.
This issue is clearly one of public interest — particularly given that the Minister responsible for the HOSM previously informed a sitting Member of Parliament:
“I do not intend to recommend any changes to the eligibility criteria for a medal that recognises members of not-for-profit organisations providing emergency humanitarian services overseas, to extend the medal to members of commercial contractors providing security services in support of such operations overseas."
Grounds for Review
1. Failure to Locate Documents Evidencing Ministerial Awareness
My request expressly sought any document demonstrating that the Minister had been advised that commercial security contractors serving with the GE contingent had received the HOSM. This is a material fact. If the Minister was informed, there should be a record of it. If the Minister was not informed, that omission would reflect a serious failure to meet the standard of administrative transparency expected of the Australian Public Service.
The Department’s decision:
• Fails to produce any document showing that the Minister was advised of the commercial contractor status; and
• Carefully avoids stating whether the Minister was or was not so informed.
This withholding of clarity only deepens the concern that critical information may have been intentionally excluded from ministerial briefing materials.
2. Relevant Documents Allegedly Exist – But Are Withheld
The Department states that three documents fall within scope. Two are withheld in full and one is partially released.
Document 2 (B09/1640) is not responsive to my FOI request. It contains no reference to “commercial security contractors” and makes no mention of Olive Group, the security firm engaged to provide services for the GE operation. I do not understand why this document was provided in response to a request that focused explicitly on those two elements.
Documents 1 and 3 are withheld in full. The Department’s reasons for non-disclosure rely on broad, vague assertions and invoke conditional exemptions under sections 47C, 47E, 47F, and 47G. These justifications are unsupported by evidence, lack specificity, and fail to meaningfully consider the strong public interest in transparency surrounding both the administration of the HOSM and the inclusion of commercial contractors.
This is especially significant because:
• The Department maintains that commercial security contractors are excluded from HOSM eligibility, yet says nothing when presented with irrefutable evidence that HOSMs were in fact awarded to such personnel;
• Public officials had clear duties and obligations to inform the Minister of the nature of the GE contingent. Their apparent failure to do so raises serious questions of administrative probity and is clearly in the public interest to expose;
• Withholding these documents creates a reasonable inference that the Minister was not accurately informed — whether through deliberate omission or administrative oversight.
If the Department has no record of informing the Minister, that absence is itself a responsive outcome and should be disclosed.
3. Questionable Use of Section 24A
The Department refused access to Parts 1 and 5 of my request under section 24A(1), claiming the documents either do not exist or could not be found. Yet in relation to Parts 2–4, the Department confirms that relevant documents exist but are exempt. This selective use of section 24A raises doubts about the sincerity and thoroughness of the Department’s search, particularly in light of known materials and earlier FOI matters.
Conclusion and Relief Sought
I respectfully request that the IC review proceed on the basis that:
• It remains unclear whether Departmental officials with responsibility under the HOSM program or the Honours and Awards system have advised their superiors that commercial contractors were awarded HOSMs;
• It remains unclear whether the Minister has ever been formally advised of this fact;
• Documents that could resolve this question are being withheld under conditional exemptions that are not properly justified;
• The application of section 24A appears inconsistent or potentially misused.
I ask that the OAIC consider directing the Department to:
1. Disclose any document showing whether the Minister has been advised that HOSMs were awarded to commercial security contractors serving with the Australian contingent to GE;
2. Where no such document exists, issue a formal statement acknowledging this;
3. Reassess the application of exemptions, particularly in light of the public interest in exposing administrative oversight or omission in the administration of Commonwealth honours.
Please let me know if further information is required to support the review.
Yours sincerely,
Trav S
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) inbox at the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the department).
This email address is for requests to access documents under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982. The department cannot provide you with the
records of other government agencies. If you are seeking access to records
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If you have written to the department to submit an FOI request or
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The FOI team of the department is unable to respond to non-FOI related
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department, please visit [3]Freedom of Information.
FOI team
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
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OFFICIAL
OAIC Ref: MR25/00872
PM&C Ref: FOI/2024/238IC
To: OAIC
CC: Trav S <[FOI #11739 email]>
Good afternoon Sarveshcika,
Thank you for informing the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
(the Department) that the applicant wishes to proceed with this IC
review.
Unfortunately the Department considers we will not be in a position to
provide the requested information and documents by 27 August 2025.
We note there has been a high volume of requests from the applicant on
this subject matter. Given the interconnected nature of these requests,
this results in high processing times, particularly given the Department’s
FOI processing resources.
Owing to this, we kindly request the OAIC consent to the Department
providing our input on or before 26 September 2025.
Please reach out to discuss if it would assist.
Best wishes,
Adviser
Information Law | Legal Policy
Government Division[]
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
p. (02) 6271 5849
Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
[1]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.
From: OAIC - FOI DR <[2][email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, 6 August 2025 1:01 PM
To: FOI <[3][email address]>
Cc: [personal information removed] <[4][email address]>
Subject: OAIC - Response required by 27 August 2025 - MR25/00872 -
Notification of applicant’s intention to proceed with Information
Commissioner review [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Our reference: MR25/00872
Agency Reference: FOI/2024/238
Applicant: [personal information redacted]
Respondent: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
By email: [5][DPMC request email]
Copied to: [6][email address]
Notification of applicant’s intention to proceed with Information
Commissioner review
Dear FOI Contact Officer,
On 11 May 2025, the applicant lodged an IC review application of a deemed
decision by the agency. On 18 June 2025, the OAIC issued a Notice of IC
review application and a Direction to produce documents.
On 30 July 2025, the Agency made a revised decision.
The applicant wishes to proceed with the IC review because they contend
there are additional documents within the scope of their FOI request, and
they contest the exemptions applied by the Agency (see attached).
The IC review process will consider the Agency’s reasons for refusing
access and the adequacy of searches conducted by the Agency.
Request for information
Considering the applicant’s submissions, please advise whether the Agency
intends to make a revised decision.
Alternatively, the Agency is still required to provide information that
relate to the applied conditional exemptions and s 24A of the FOI Act as
outlined in [7]Annexure A.2 of the [8]Direction as to certain procedures
to be followed by agencies and ministers in IC reviews that was not
provided in its submissions of 30 July 2025:
o Submissions in support of the exemptions claimed, including the
application of s 11B of the FOI Act in relation to conditional
exemptions, in the form prescribed by the Information Commissioner:
see [9]Information Commissioner Reviews.
· A copy of any document that records searches conducted during
the request process, including if applicable:
o Notes kept by individuals conducting searches
o Correspondence between the FOI decision maker and individuals who
conducted searches
o Any other records of searches or recorded consideration of where to
search
The obligation to engage with the applicant as set out in the Direction
continues to apply.
Please note, the applicant is copied into this correspondence for their
record and reference. No action is required from the applicant at this
time.
You are required to provide this information by 27 August 2025.
Yours sincerely,
[10]cid:image002.jpg@01DC12A8.2ADE4E10 Sarveshcika Yuvaraj (she/her)
Assistant Review Advisor
FOI Case Management Branch
Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner
Sydney | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW
2001
P 1300 363 992 E
[11][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.
[12]Subscribe to Information Matters
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FOI would like to recall the message, "OAIC - Response required by 27 August 2025 - MR25/00872 - Notification of applicant’s intention to proceed with Information Commissioner review [SEC=OFFICIAL]".