Statement provided to ARC on Systemic Issue
Dear Department of Social Services,
The latest statement of meeting outcomes from the Administrative Review Council refers to the following:
"responses received from ... Minister for Social Services and the Secretary, Department of Social Services in relation to the Notice of Systemic Issue No. 1 of 2024"
I would like to request this document or documents - I'm not sure if it is one co-signed document or two separate ones? If they are two separate documents, please exclude the Minister's response, I'll lodge a separate FOI for that.
Publication of these documents is in the public interest, as it would provide insight into why the ARC decided not to do a specific investigation. The stance taken by the department will also be instructive in understanding any future work ARC does in this space (which they flag in their statement).
Yours faithfully,
Frank N Fearless
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Frank N Fearless
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 28 May 2025, in which you requested access under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to:
The latest statement of meeting outcomes from the Administrative Review
Council refers to the following:
"responses received from ... Minister for Social Services and the
Secretary, Department of Social Services in relation to the Notice of
Systemic Issue No. 1 of 2024"
The decision for this request is currently due on 27 June 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
The Department is seeking your agreement to remove 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 all personal information of members of the public;
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES)
government staff; and
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the
exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
o duplicate copies of, or parts of, documents (so the information is
only released once).
If you agree to the above amendment the names of the Department’s SES
staff will be released where they are present in the documents and do not
attract an exemption.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday 2 June 2025 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
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.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Frank N Fearless
To date, we have not received a response from you with respect to our
email below.
Could you please advise whether you agree to exclude the personal
information (as listed in the email below) by Thursday 12 June 2025.
Kind regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
From: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Sent: Thursday, 29 May 2025 9:16 AM
To: Frank N Fearless <[FOI #13230 email]>
Cc: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: FOI LEX 53844 – Acknowledgement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Frank N Fearless
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 28 May 2025, in which you requested access under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to:
The latest statement of meeting outcomes from the Administrative Review
Council refers to the following:
"responses received from ... Minister for Social Services and the
Secretary, Department of Social Services in relation to the Notice of
Systemic Issue No. 1 of 2024"
The decision for this request is currently due on 27 June 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
The Department is seeking your agreement to remove 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 all personal information of members of the public;
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES)
government staff; and
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the
exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
o duplicate copies of, or parts of, documents (so the information is
only released once).
If you agree to the above amendment the names of the Department’s SES
staff will be released where they are present in the documents and do not
attract an exemption.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday 2 June 2025 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 [2][Department of Social Services request email].
Kind regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [3][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
3. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
Sorry as the response was expressed as coming from the Secretary to the ARC, I thought it the request would involve SES officers and above. If there are any junior staff on the email chain, you may exclude their personal details
Yours sincerely,
Frank N Fearless
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Frank N Fearless
Thank you for excluding junior staff personal information.
The documents contain the email address of the Chair of the ARC. Could you
please advise whether you agree to exclude this information from your
request?
Kind regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-----Original Message-----
From: Frank N Fearless <[FOI #13230 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 10 June 2025 2:48 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: FOI LEX 53844 – Acknowledgement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
Sorry as the response was expressed as coming from the Secretary to the
ARC, I thought it the request would involve SES officers and above. If
there are any junior staff on the email chain, you may exclude their
personal details
Yours sincerely,
Frank N Fearless
-----Original Message-----
Dear Frank N Fearless
To date, we have not received a response from you with respect to our
email below.
Could you please advise whether you agree to exclude the personal
information (as listed in the email below) by Thursday 12 June 2025.
Kind regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
From: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Sent: Thursday, 29 May 2025 9:16 AM
To: Frank N Fearless <[FOI #13230 email]>
Cc: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: FOI LEX 53844 – Acknowledgement [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear Frank N Fearless
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 28 May 2025, in which you requested access under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to:
The latest statement of meeting outcomes from the Administrative Review
Council refers to the following:
"responses received from ... Minister for Social Services and the
Secretary, Department of Social Services in relation to the Notice of
Systemic Issue No. 1 of 2024"
The decision for this request is currently due on 27 June 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
The Department is seeking your agreement to remove 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 all personal information of members of the public;
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES)
government staff; and
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the
exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
o duplicate copies of, or parts of, documents (so the information is
only released once).
If you agree to the above amendment the names of the Department’s SES
staff will be released where they are present in the documents and do not
attract an exemption.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday 2 June 2025 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 [2][Department of Social Services
request email].
Kind regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [3][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. [2]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. [3]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
3. [4]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #13230 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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[department
3. mailto:[department
4. mailto:[department
5. mailto:[FOI #13230 email]
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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 Frank N Fearless
Please find attached the decision made in response to Freedom of
Information request LEX 53844.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good afternoon Frank N Fearless
Please find attached the decision made in response to Freedom of
Information request LEX 53844.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]