Documents LEX 11678.pdf

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Friday, 11 October 2024 3:57 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Cleared thanks s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 3:49 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Email for your clearance below please.

//

MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: Monday 14 October
DFAT POC: Alan Copeland, Assistant Secretary Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Grateful for your clearance of the below response to be provided to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding the number of
Australians currently in Lebanon, Israel and OTP, and the number that have been evacuated and killed in the past
year.

//

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies
the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data
for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

1
1

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian territories,
and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
2
2

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
3
3

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Friday, 11 October 2024 6:05 PM
To:
Media; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For FMO Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Cleared thank you

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 3:59 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media
<xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: **For FMO Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: Monday 14 October
DFAT POC: Alan Copeland, Assistant Secretary Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Grateful for your clearance of the below response to be provided to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding the number of
Australians currently in Lebanon, Israel and OTP, and the number that have been evacuated and killed in the past
year.

//

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies
the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data
for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
1
4

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian territories,
and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
2
5

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
3
6

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
Media
Sent:
Friday, 11 October 2024 8:51 AM
To:
s 47F(1)
Cc:
Media
Subject:
RE: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Hi s 47F(1)

Confirming receipt of your media enquiry.

Kind regards,

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Sec on
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian territories,
and how many are in Israel at the moment?

1
7

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
2
8

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
EL2 Manager
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 12:38 PM
To:
Media; Crisis Ses.Manager
Cc:
Crisis Centre
Subject:
FW: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon
and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Media

Please see the response as cleared by A/G AS CPB and Crisis SES Manager:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed
Lebanon on assisted departure flights.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

All public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)

Regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On-Duty Deputy Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

OFFICIAL
1
9

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 10:01 AM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good morning

s 47F(1)
/Crikey has followed up regarding the response we sent last week.  He has also phoned the media line,
requesting that any additional response includes an attributable component.

//
Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the record
explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?
//

MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this fol ow up enquiry by 3pm 15/10 to al ow for FMO deadlines.

For reference the response provided is below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies
the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data
for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
//

regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Media Liaison Sec on
2
10

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au> On Behalf Of Alan Copeland
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 3:24 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Cleared by AC

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Crisis EO to AS Alan Copeland- s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)  (please cal  ext. s 22(1)(a)(ii))

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 12:52 PM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: Fw: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL
Dear Alan

Grateful for your clearance of below proposed response to this media inquiry by 4pm.

Many thanks

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On-duty SES Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au


3
11

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 11:12 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi team

Just further to the previous email, I suggest we could use the below as a starting point for response.

Note we will attached the latest version of the background note with information once released.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
(abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies
the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data
for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
4
12

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



From: Media
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:57 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi Crisis Centre colleagues,

Please see below a media enquiry from s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon and Palestine.
5
13

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this enquiry by 4pm to allow for FMO deadlines. Please let us know as
soon as possible if this is unrealistic.
We would also appreciate confirmation of receipt of this request. 
It is a requirement that draft responses are cleared at SES level before they are returned to MLS.
As the lead line area, you should consult relevant areas/Agencies as appropriate before returning the final draft
response to MLS. If you are not the lead line area, grateful if you could advise MLS as soon as possible.
Please find draft template below.
//
s 47E(d)
6
14

s 47E(d)
DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

//

Kind regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
a/g Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555 | E s 22(1)(a)(ii)@dfat.gov.au | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)

dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

7
15

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian territories,
and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
8
16

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 1:08 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: s 22(1)(a)(ii) clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey | Follow up, Australians in Lebanon
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Cleared thanks

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 1:05 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: s 22(1)(a)(ii) clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey | Follow up, Australians in Lebanon [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good afternoon s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Grateful clearance of the following for FMO.

//
MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: not specified
DFAT POC: Paula Brewer, Crisis Centre SES Manager, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s
Grateful clearance of the following response for s 47F(1)
/Crikey –47F(1) has fol owed up on a response we
provided last week.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

All pPublic statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
1
17

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Media Liaison Sec on
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 10:29 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the
record explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?
s 47F(1)
On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Good afternoon s 47F(1)

Please find a response below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
2
18

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also
identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years;
data for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
//

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)


_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.



From:s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

3
19

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian
territories, and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
4
20

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 1:52 PM
To:
Media; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey | Follow up, Australians in Lebanon
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Thanks s 22(1)(a)(ii)

All ok from us.

Cheers,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 1:11 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey | Follow up, Australians in Lebanon [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: not specified
DFAT POC: Paula Brewer, Crisis Centre SES Manager, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s
Grateful clearance of the following response for s 47F(1)
/Crikey – 47F(1 has fol owed up on a response we
provided last week.
)

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
1
21

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Media Liaison Sec on
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 10:29 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the
record explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?
s 47F(1)
On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Good afternoon s 47F(1)

Please find a response below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
2
22

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It also
identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years;
data for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number of
Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians in
Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
//

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)


_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.



From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

3
23

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 4:43 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Thankss 22(1)(a)(ii)just added a line.

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 4:40 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel and OPT
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Email drafted below for your clearance.

//
Dear Brett

Grateful for your clearance to not respond further to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel
and OPT.

s
MLS have provided two responses to
alr
47F(1)
eady, but he has followed up again asking specifically for the number
of Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT, and the number that have been killed in Lebanon, Israel and OPT.

Our previous responses include publicly available information including:
  a link to the Secretary’s opening remarks from Senate Estimates on 14 February with the number of
Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT
  a link to the Department’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play, which details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance (noting data for 2023-24 is scheduled to be
released in mid-October).

s 47F(1)
MLS views this information covers
questions. However, we note he has verbally expressed intent to
comment on DFAT’s ‘lack of response’ in his article.

I have included the full email trail for reference. Happy to discuss further.

s 47F(1)
Should you agree with this approach, we will make FMO aware that we do not intent to respond further to

1
25

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

//

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Sec on
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 3:01 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **s 22(1)(a)(ii) Awareness** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Thanks s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Can you do up a summary email for Brett to consider an NFA on this?

Noting her statement that a non-response will be a story in itself. Once we have his views we can then consider next
steps, if any.

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 2:57 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: **s 22(1)(a)(ii) Awareness** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

For awareness, we have received another follow up from s 47F(1)
/ Crikey.

I propose NFA, noting we have provided two considered responses on this matter.

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

2
26

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Sec on
Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 2:41 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other questions
were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)
3
27

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
4
28

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 10:29 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the
record explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?

s 47F(1)

On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

5
29

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
Brett Mason3
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 6:00 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For Brett Clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Flagged
OFFICIAL

Thanks s 22(1)(a)(ii) agree this approach.
Many thanks,
Brett

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 4:55 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; Brett Mason3 <xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For Brett Clearance** s 47F(1)
Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel and OPT
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Dear Brett

Grateful for your clearance to not respond further to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel
and OPT.
s

47F(1)
MLS have provided two responses to
lready, but he has followed up again asking specifically for the number
of Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT, and the number that have been killed in Lebanon, Israel and OPT.

Our previous responses include publicly available information including:
  a link to the Secretary’s opening remarks from Senate Estimates on 14 February with the number of
Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT
  a link to the Department’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play, which details the number of deaths of
Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance (noting data for 2023-24 is scheduled to be
released in mid-October).

s 47F(1)
MLS views this information covers
uestions. However, we note he has verbally expressed intent to
comment on DFAT’s ‘lack of response’ in his article.

I have included the full email trail for reference. Happy to discuss further.

Should you agree with this approach, we will make FMO aware that we do not intent to respond further to s 47F(1)

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

1
32

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 6:58 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** - **For FMO awareness** s 47F(1)
/Crikey
regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel and OPT [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL

Cleared thanks s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 6:47 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **s 22(1)(a)(ii) Clearance** - **For FMO awareness** s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hey s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Welcome your clearance of the below (following Brett’s email).

//

Good evening s 22(1)(a)(ii)

For your awareness, we intend to not respond further to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT.

s
MLS have provided two responses to47F(1) lready, but he has followed up again asking specifically for the number
of Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT, and the number that have been killed in Lebanon, Israel and OPT.

s
We have already provided 47F(1)with the relevant publicly available information.

Please let us know if you have any concerns with this approach.

Warm regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)


_______________________________
Media Liaison Officer | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division

T s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii) | E s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au


1
38

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.


From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 2:41 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other questions
were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dears 47F(1)

2
39

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
3
40

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 10:29 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the
record explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?

s 47F(1)

On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Good afternoon s 47F(1)
4
41

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 7:07 PM
To:
Media; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For FMO awareness** s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL

Hi s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Thanks for letting us know.

Cheers,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 7:00 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For FMO awareness**s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon, Israel and OPT
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good evening s 22(1)(a)(ii)
,

For your awareness, we intend to not respond further to s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in Lebanon,
Israel and OPT.

s
47F(1)
MLS have provided two responses to
already, but he has followed up again asking specifically for the number
of Australians evacuated from Israel and OPT, and the number that have been killed in Lebanon, Israel and OPT.

s
We have already provided 47F(1) ith the relevant publicly available information.

Please let us know if you have any concerns with this approach.

Warm regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Media Liaison Officer | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division

T s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii) | E s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au


1
44

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
3
46

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 10:29 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give me a statement on
the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government can't answer these questions and since
you indicated you don't want me to quote you on anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the
record explaining why this information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?

s 47F(1)

On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Good afternoons 47F(1)

4
47

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the occupied Palestinian
territories, and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
--000000000000bd44c806247bb94a-
6
49

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024 4:10 PM
To:
Media; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For awareness** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

PS. Suggest just including the relevant geographical Consular Operations team and Consular Policy team (who I think
might do stats?) in your email, as well as the AS and FAS’ EO.

No need to include the full GWO etc list.

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
A/Director | Media Liaison Sec on
Media and Communica ons Delivery Branch | Strategic Communica ons Division
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:08 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **For awareness** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Thanks – could you please consult CCD on this. (not a full tasking, just a request for advice).

Question to me is – should we go back with a response on background something like the following.

Happy to be advised either way.

//

On background (not for attribution):
DFAT releases information on numbers of Australians who have died overseas in the Consular State of Play each
year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers across the world on an ad hoc basis for the
media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which could otherwise assist in helping Australians
and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact the privacy of the families receiving consular
assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain location during a time period).

//

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

1
50

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
A/Director | Media Liaison Sec on
Media and Communica ons Delivery Branch | Strategic Communica ons Division
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 3:28 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: **For awareness** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good afternoon s 22(1)(a)(ii)

For your awareness, s 47F(1)
has followed up on his enquiry.

Attached is acknowledgement from FMO on our approach to this enquiry.

Warm regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

_______________________________
Media Liaison Officer | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division

T s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii) | E s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au



© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.


From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 3:17 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

2
51

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state that
on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

Thanks!
s 47F(1)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.
3
52

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
4
53

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024 5:39 PM
To:
Media
Subject:
RE: **For advice** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

Can we please give Consular Operations (middle east team) and s 22(1)(a)(ii) (Director of Consular Policy Section)
and their AS’s (Warren Macilwain and s 22(1)(a)(ii) (acting) visibility of this one?

Or do they already have vis?

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:45 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>;
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>;
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **For advice** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Hi Media

I am happy with this response.

AC

OFFICIAL
From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:24 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>;s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For advice** Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Dear colleagues
1
57

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

We have received a fol ow up from s 47F(1)
Crikey on his below enquiry.
Grateful if we could seek CCD’s views on the below response.

//

On background (not for attribution):
DFAT releases information on numbers of Australians who have died overseas in the Consular State of Play each
year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers across the world on an ad hoc basis for the
media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which could otherwise assist in helping Australians
and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact the privacy of the families receiving consular
assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain location during a time period).

//

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

___________________
Media Liaison Oﬃcer | Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | Twi er | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 3:17 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state that
on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

Thanks!
s 47F(1)
2
58

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 47F(1)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

3
59

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



4
60

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
--0000000000006dfaf806249056d1-
7
63

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Wednesday, 16 October 2024 5:35 PM
To:
Media
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: s 22(1)(a)(ii) clearance** / **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
Crikey -
Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Cleared – let’s see what FMO say.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
A/Director | Media Liaison Sec on
Media and Communica ons Delivery Branch | Strategic Communica ons Division
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)

OFFICIAL
From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 4:58 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **s 22(1)(a)(ii) clearance** / **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Alan Copeland has cleared the below response. Welcome your clearance to provide to FMO:

//

MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: Not specified
DFAT POC: Alan Copeland, Assistant Secretary Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

1
64

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

Welcome your clearance to provide the below response to s 47F(1)
/Crikey:

//

On background (not for attribution):
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade releases information on numbers of Australians who have died
overseas in the Consular State of Play each year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers
across the world on an ad hoc basis for the media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which
could otherwise assist in helping Australians and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact
the privacy of the families receiving consular assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain
location during a time period).

//

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

___________________
Media Liaison Oﬃcer | Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | Twi er | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

OFFICIAL
From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 3:17 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state that
on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

2
65

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Thanks!
s

47F(1
)

On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.
3
66

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.


4
67

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Sent:
Thursday, 17 October 2024 4:05 PM
To:
Media; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Cleared

OFFICIAL
From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2024 3:47 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media
<xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

For your awareness, s 47F(1)
/Crikey has followed up on the below enquiry.

Please let me know if you require anything further.

Kind regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

OFFICIAL
From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 5:43 PM
To: Caitlin Raper <xxxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)

@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **For FMO clearance** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

1
71

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

MEDIA ENQUIRY FOR CLEARANCE
JOURNALIST: s 47F(1)
/Crikey
DEADLINE: Not specified
DFAT POC: Alan Copeland, Assistant Secretary Crisis Preparedness and Management Branch, s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Dear s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Welcome your clearance to provide the below response to s 47F(1)
/Crikey:

//

On background (not for attribution):
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade releases information on numbers of Australians who have died
overseas in the Consular State of Play each year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers
across the world on an ad hoc basis for the media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which
could otherwise assist in helping Australians and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact
the privacy of the families receiving consular assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain
location during a time period).

//

Kind regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Media Liaison Officer | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division

T s 22(1)(a)(ii)  | M s 22(1)(a)(ii) | E s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au



© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.


OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL
2
72

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 3:17 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state that
on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

Thanks!
s

47F(1
)

On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)

3
73

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed Lebanon
on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
4
74

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
Media
Sent:
Thursday, 17 October 2024 4:15 PM
To:
s 47F(1)
Cc:
Media
Subject:
RE: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL
  s
Hi 47F(1) apologies for the delay – please see our response to your enquiry of 16 October below:

//

On background (not for attribution):
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade releases information on numbers of Australians who have died
overseas in the Consular State of Play each year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers
across the world on an ad hoc basis for the media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which
could otherwise assist in helping Australians and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact
the privacy of the families receiving consular assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain
location during a time period).

//

Kind regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
__________________
Media Liaison Oﬃcer | Department of Foreign Aﬀairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | Twi er | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Tradi onal Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their con nuing connec on to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Na ons peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Note to media: Unless otherwise speciﬁed, the informa on contained in this email is for background only.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2024 3:52 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
1
78

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Hi!

Just fol owing up in writing as one of your colleagues suggested on the phone -- as I said, I'm looking for an answer
to the questions below, or if not, an explanation as to why the questions can't be answered.

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If I could get a sense of when you will respond that would be good, so I can inform my boss as I've already ahd to
push the deadline for this several times.

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 3:16 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state that
on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

Thanks!
s 47F(1)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s

47F(1

)
On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
2
79

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
OFFICIAL

Dear s 47F(1)

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed
Lebanon on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

3
80

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
On Fri, Oct 11, 2024 at 6:11 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Good afternoons 47F(1)

Please find a response below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (abs.gov.au).  This data includes numbers by Australian state or territory of residency of travellers. It
also identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of Play details the number of deaths
of Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular assistance. It includes historical data for the past five
years; data for 2023-24 is scheduled to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a statement on the number
of Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure flights for Australians
in Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further information on departures from Lebanon.
//

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)


_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.



5
82

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
From:
s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent:
Thursday, 17 October 2024 5:00 PM
To:
Media
Subject:
Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Categories:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Thank you! Would it be possible to get those lines on the record so I could explain it to the readers? It's very helpful
to understand the reasoning why and it makes much more sense if I can just say where the info came from.
s 47F(1)
On Thu, Oct 17, 2024 at 4:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

s
Hi
apologies for the delay – please see our response to your enquiry of 16 October below:
47F(1)

//

On background (not for attribution):
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade releases information on numbers of Australians who have died
overseas in the Consular State of Play each year. We don’t release ongoing updates, as collating such numbers
across the world on an ad hoc basis for the media and stakeholders would impact on our consular resources (which
could otherwise assist in helping Australians and their families), and incremental updates could potentially impact
the privacy of the families receiving consular assistance (e.g if only a small number of people have died in a certain
location during a time period).

//

Kind regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
__________________
Media Liaison Officer | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
1
84

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn


© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.



From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2024 3:52 PM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the
sender.
Hi!

Just fol owing up in writing as one of your colleagues suggested on the phone -- as I said, I'm looking for an answer
to the questions below, or if not, an explanation as to why the questions can't be answered.

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months
2
85

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

If I could get a sense of when you will respond that would be good, so I can inform my boss as I've already ahd to
push the deadline for this several times.

Thank you!
s 47F(1)

On Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 3:16 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Hi!

This is s 47F(1)
with Crikey again, just making sure you received this email yesterday.

If it's the case that you don't keep track of how many Australians have died in the conflict, could you just state
that on the record? If you do keep track but won't tell me for some reason, could you explain why?

Thanks!
s

47F(1
  )


On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:41 PM s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au> wrote:
Thank you!

Did you have a look at the other questions I sent too?

- How many Australians have been evacuated from OPT in past 12 months
- How many Australians have been evacuated from Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in Israel in past 12 months
- How many Australians have died in OPT in past 12 months
3
86

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
- How many Australians have died in Lebanon in past 12 months

If you can't or won't answer those, could you please send a line on the record explaining why?

I appreciate the answer to the Lebanon evacuation question (and clarification you don't keep track of which
countries Aussies travel to) but it was only one out of several I asked, so I don't understand why the other
questions were ignored?

As I said to your colleague on the phone this morning, I think it's newsworthy that you can't/won't answer these
questions, so I need an explanation for why that is.

Thank you!
s 47F(1)

On Tue, Oct 15, 2024 at 2:15 PM Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx> wrote:
OFFICIAL

Dears 47F(1)

Thanks for your email.

Please see response below.

//
Attributable to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members have departed
Lebanon on assisted departure flights.

On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
4
87

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their
immediate families at locations overseas.

Public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023 are available at:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for background only.
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and
community. We pay our respects to al  First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.



5
88

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1) /Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 11:41:16 AM
OFFICIAL

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Crikey has come back. Atre you happy with this response:

As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members
have departed Lebanon on assisted departure flights.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.

All public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)

Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign
Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)

Regards

s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On-Duty Deputy Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 10:01 AM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>;s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
92

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good morning

s 47F(1)
/Crikey has followed up regarding the response we sent last week. He has also
phoned the media line, requesting that any additional response includes an attributable
component.

//
Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give
me a statement on the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government
can't answer these questions and since you indicated you don't want me to quote you on
anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the record explaining why this
information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?
//

MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this follow up enquiry by 3pm 15/10 to allow
for FMO deadlines.

For reference the response provided is below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au). This data includes numbers by Australian
state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of
Play details the number of deaths of Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular
assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data for 2023-24 is scheduled
to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a
statement on the number of Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure
flights for Australians in Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further
information on departures from Lebanon.
//

regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
93

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx

Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for
background only.

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au> On Behalf Of Alan
Copeland
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 3:24 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Alan Copeland
<xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action**s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Cleared by AC

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Crisis EO to AS Alan Copeland- s 22(1)(a)(ii)

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii) (please call ext. s 22(1)(a)(ii))

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 12:52 PM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: Fw: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL
Dear Alan

Grateful for your clearance of below proposed response to this media inquiry by
4pm.

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

94

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
On-duty SES Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 11:12 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in
Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi team

Just further to the previous email, I suggest we could use the below as a starting point for
response.

Note we will attached the latest version of the background note with information once
released.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au). This data includes numbers by Australian
95

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of
Play details the number of deaths of Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular
assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data for 2023-24 is scheduled
to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a
statement on the number of Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure
flights for Australians in Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further
information on departures from Lebanon.

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii) | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.

96

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

From: Media
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:57 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon
and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi Crisis Centre colleagues,
Please see below a media enquiry from s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in
Lebanon and Palestine.

MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this enquiry by 4pm to allow for FMO
deadlines. Please let us know as soon as possible if this is unrealistic.

We would also appreciate confirmation of receipt of this request. 

It is a requirement that draft responses are cleared at SES level before they are returned to
MLS.

As the lead line area, you should consult relevant areas/Agencies as appropriate before
returning the final draft response to MLS. If you are not the lead line area, grateful if you
could advise MLS as soon as possible.

Please find draft template below.

//

s 47E(d)
97

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the
occupied Palestinian territories, and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

99

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
100

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
From:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
To:
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cc:
s 22(1)(a)(ii) s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Subject:
RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1) /Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and Palestine
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 15 October 2024 12:35:29 PM
OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Cleared and good to go. Apologies for the delay.
Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
OFFICIAL
From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Sent: Tuesday, 15 October 2024 11:41 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in
Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Crikey has come back. Atre you happy with this response:
As of today [15 October], a total of 3170 Australians and their immediate family members
have departed Lebanon on assisted departure flights.
//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.
All public statements on the conflict since 9 October 2023:
Hamas-Israel conflict and Middle East Regional escalation | Australian Government Department
of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
Including statements regarding the deaths of Australians:
Death of Lalzawmi ‘Zomi’ Frankcom | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(foreignminister.gov.au)
Confirmation of death of Australian woman in Israel | Australian Minister for Foreign
101

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Affairs (foreignminister.gov.au)

Regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On-Duty Deputy Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii) @dfat.gov.au
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 10:01 AM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Good morning

s 47F(1)
/Crikey has followed up regarding the response we sent last week. He has also
phoned the media line, requesting that any additional response includes an attributable
component.

//
Thank you for your reply. None of my questions were actually answered -- could you please give
me a statement on the record as to why? I think it's newsworthy in itself that the government
can't answer these questions and since you indicated you don't want me to quote you on
anything you wrote in the email, I'll need a statement on the record explaining why this
information can't be made public.

Surely evacuation and death statistics for specific countries exist, right?
//

MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this follow up enquiry by 3pm 15/10 to allow
for FMO deadlines.

For reference the response provided is below.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.
102

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au). This data includes numbers by Australian
state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies the most visited countries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of
Play details the number of deaths of Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular
assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data for 2023-24 is scheduled
to be released in mid-October.
On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a
statement on the number of Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.
On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure
flights for Australians in Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further
information on departures from Lebanon.
//
regards
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6261 1555 | E xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Note to media: Unless otherwise specified, the information contained in this email is for
background only.
From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au> On Behalf Of Alan
Copeland
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 3:24 PM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; Alan Copeland
<xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>;s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action**s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Cleared by AC
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Crisis EO to AS Alan Copeland- s 22(1)(a)(ii)
103

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii) (please call ext. s 22(1)(a)(ii))

From: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 12:52 PM
To: Alan Copeland <xxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: Fw: **Media Enquiry for Action**s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon and
Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL
Dear Alan

Grateful for your clearance of below proposed response to this media inquiry by
4pm.

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

On-duty SES Manager
DFAT Crisis Centre
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au

From: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 11:12 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: RE: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in
Lebanon and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

104

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Hi team

Just further to the previous email, I suggest we could use the below as a starting point for
response.

Note we will attached the latest version of the background note with information once
released.

//
On background (for use in reporting, not for attribution):
The Australian Government does not track the number of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, or their immediate families at locations overseas.

Current and historical data on Australians travelling overseas can be sourced from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au). This data includes numbers by Australian
state or territory of residency of travellers. It also identifies the most visited countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller Consular State of
Play details the number of deaths of Australians overseas where DFAT provided consular
assistance. It includes historical data for the past five years; data for 2023-24 is scheduled
to be released in mid-October.

On 14 February 2024, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary delivered a
statement on the number of Australians that had departed Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories since 7 October 2023.

On 4 October 2024, the Foreign Minister announced further details of Assisted-departure
flights for Australians in Lebanon. Please refer to the attached background note for further
information on departures from Lebanon.

//

Many thanks
s 22(1)(a)(ii)

105

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P s 22(1)(a)(ii)    | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn
© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.

From: Media
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:57 AM
To: s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Cc: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 22(1)(a)(ii)
@dfat.gov.au>
Subject: **Media Enquiry for Action** s 47F(1)
/Crikey - Australians in Lebanon
and Palestine [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Hi Crisis Centre colleagues,
Please see below a media enquiry from s 47F(1)
/Crikey regarding Australians in
Lebanon and Palestine.

MLS would be grateful for a draft response to this enquiry by 4pm to allow for FMO
deadlines. Please let us know as soon as possible if this is unrealistic.

We would also appreciate confirmation of receipt of this request. 
106

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678

It is a requirement that draft responses are cleared at SES level before they are returned to
MLS.

As the lead line area, you should consult relevant areas/Agencies as appropriate before
returning the final draft response to MLS. If you are not the lead line area, grateful if you
could advise MLS as soon as possible.

Please find draft template below.

//
s 47E(d)
107

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
s 47E(d)
//
Kind regards,
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
_______________________________
a/g Assistant Director | Media Liaison Section
Media and Communications Delivery Branch
Strategic Communications Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
P +61 2 6261 1555 | E s 22(1)(a)(ii)@dfat.gov.au | M s 22(1)(a)(ii)
dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present
and emerging.
.

From: s 47F(1)
@crikey.com.au>
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2024 8:38 AM
To: Media <xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Australians in Lebanon and Palestine

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognise the sender.
Hi!

My name is s 47F(1)
and I'm a reporter with Crikey.

108

DFAT – DECLASSIFIED – RELEASED UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 1982
LEX 11678
Could you please tell me how many Australians are in Lebanon, how many are in the
occupied Palestinian territories, and how many are in Israel at the moment?

How many Australians:
- Have been evacuated from Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been evacuated from Israel in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Lebanon in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territories in the last 12 months?
- Have been killed in Israel in the last 12 months?

If you can't get the data right away, could I have an answer for Monday?

Thank you!
s 47F(1)
109