Social Media Policy
Ben Fairless made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Home Affairs
This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.
Dear Department of Immigration and Border Protection,
I make a request for:
1 - Any current policy documents which relate to the use of Social Media (both Official and Unofficial) by the DIBP or employees and contractors of DIBP.
2 - Any directions made in the last 12 months by any Senior Employees or Managers within DIBP that issue direction, instruction or advice to DIBP employees or contractors on Official or Unofficial use of Social Media.
Yours faithfully,
Ben Fairless
[Subject only] Notice under s.24AB of FOI Act – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Janelle,
I write in response to your Practical Refusal Consultation notice issued under S24AB of the FOI Act.
I'm curious to understand why each employee would be individually required to search their emails? I assume the Department has an IT Department who would have access to search employee email?
Alternatively, wouldn't the requested documents be able to be located in TRIM (or other records management system used by the Department)?
I am, in essence, seeking documents which identify how the Department deals with Social Media both official and unoffical. I would appreciate the Department's suggestions on how my request could be refined if you are unable to work with my suggestions above on how to locate the information.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
[Subject only] RE: Notice under s.24AB of FOI Act – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Janelle,
Thanks for the explanation.
Could you advise if the revised scope below deals with the issues you have raised:
"I make a request for:
1 - Any official policy which relate to the use of Social Media (both Official and Unofficial) by the DIBP or employees and contractors of DIBP.
2 - All correspondence originating from or sent to the National Communications Branch since the 1st of September 2013 that could be reasonably interpreted to be issuing direction, instruction or advice to DIBP employees or contractors on Official or Unofficial use of Social Media."
If no Practical Refusal reason would exist, I'm happy to revise my request accordingly. If a Practical Refusal reason would exist, can you please detail what further steps I can take to revise the request?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
[Subject only] Request for s.15AA extension of Time – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Janelle,
Happy to provide a 7 day extension. Please feel free to get in touch if this isn't sufficient.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
[Subject only] RE: Request for s.15AA extension of Time – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Janelle,
I consent to a 14 day extension.
On another point, I would respectfully suggest it seems to be standard operating procedure for the Department to request extensions of time to deal with requests. May I respectfully suggest that the Department arrange for the appropriate resources to process FOI requests as my patience with granting extensions is disappearing rapidly.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
[Subject only] RE: Request for s.15AA extension of Time – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
UNCLASSIFIED
Our references: FA 14/04/00565; ADF 2014/12752
Dear Mr Fairless
Re: Your Freedom of Information request
I am writing to inform you that I have been appointed as the authorised
decision maker for your FOI request, seeking access to:
" 1 - Any official policy which relate to the use of Social Media (both
Official and Unofficial) by the DIBP or employees and contractors of DIBP.
2 - All correspondence originating from or sent to the National
Communications Branch since the 1st of September 2013 that could be
reasonably interpreted to be issuing direction, instruction or advice to
DIBP employees or contractors on Official or Unofficial use of Social
Media."
As part of the department’s FOI service standard, I will update you every
14 days regarding the progress of your request, however please do not
hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or wish to discuss the
request in the interim.
Regards
Mel Heggart
FOI and Privacy Policy Section
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Tel: (02) 62643131
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mel,
Thank you for your email. It is my understanding that a decision must be made by the 26th of May. Can you confirm that a decision will be made by this time?
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
Our reference: RQ14/01158
Agency reference: FA 14/04/00565, ADF2014/12752
Mr Ben Fairless
By email
Dear Mr Fairless
Extension of time request under s15AB
On 21 May 2014, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
requested further time to make a decision on your FOI request of 6 April
2014.
This request was on the basis that the processing period is insufficient
to deal adequately with your request, because it is complex.
The Information Commissioner has decided to grant Department of
Immigration and Border Protection an extension of time of 30 days for this
request, to 24 June 2014. This decision has been made under s15AB(2) of
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (the Act).
A copy of the decision is attached.
Review rights
If you are unhappy with the way we have handled this matter, you may
complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman. This service is free, and you can
contact the office on 1300 362 072 or visit [1]www.ombudsman.gov.au.
If you would like to discuss this matter you may contact me on (02) 6239
9121 or via email [email address].
Yours sincerely
Elizabeth Zatschler | Investigations Officer
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
4 National Circuit, BARTON ACT 2600
GPO Box 2999 CANBERRA ACT 2601 |www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: +61 2 6239 9121
Fax: +61 2 6239 9187
Email: [2][email address]
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References
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1. http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
[Subject only] Charges notification under s.29 of the FOI Act – FA 14/04/00565 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Dear Elizabeth Zatschler,
I refer to your email advising that you have granted an Extension of time request under s 15AB of the FOI Act.
I note that in the Department's charges letter[1], it mentions 5 documents with 117 pages. There is no mention of any audiovisual content in the Department's charges letter.
I am disappointed that the OAIC didn't attempt to contact me to discuss the extension request, and I will be considering a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman in relation to this decision, as it would appear that DIBP have lied in their submission to the OAIC.
I can be contacted on [Phone Number] if you want to discuss this further.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless
Dear Mel,
I withdraw this request.
I place the Department on notice that I am considering a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman in relation to DIBP's extension of time request made to the OAIC, as it appears the department has lied to the OAIC in order to obtain an extension.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Fairless