This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Documents Relating to the Sharing of DVA Client Information'.


 
Australian Bureau of Statistics 
Locked Bag 10 | Belconnen ACT 2616 
      
           
 
FOI Ref: 202425/25 
 
Name: Nosey 
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
 
 
Dear Nosey, 
RE: YOUR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST [FOI202425/25] 
I refer to your request received by the ABS on 14 December 2024, and revised scope received on 
07 January 2025, in which you seek:  
“Memoranda of understanding (MOUs), agreements, or similar documents that govern the 
sharing of personal information between the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the 
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) over the last ten years. 

Policies, procedures, or guidelines that outline how the ABS requests, receives, handles, stores, or 
uses client information originating from the DVA. 

Reports, summaries, or reviews conducted by the ABS that evaluate or discuss the sharing of 
personal information between the ABS and the DVA. 

Additional Clarifications 
I am seeking documents that specifically pertain to DVA-collected client information shared with 
the ABS. 

Please limit the search to documents held by Senior Executive Service (SES) or project 
management staff. 

I consent to the exclusion of names and contact details of non-Senior Executive staff, mobile 
numbers, duplicate documents, and draft versions.” 

A copy of your full request can be found in Attachment A.  
Response to Your Request 
I am an authorised decision maker under section 23 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act). I 
am satisfied that the ABS has taken all reasonable steps to locate documents relevant to your request as 
required by s.24A(1)(a) of the FOI Act. I am also satisfied that the ABS does not hold any documents that 
fall within the scope of your request. Therefore, I am refusing your request for access under 
s.24A(1)(b)(ii) of the FOI Act, on the grounds that the documents are not in the possession of the ABS.   
Decision and Reasons for Decision 
I have taken the following into account in making my decision: 
•  Email correspondence between yourself and the FOI team. 
•  Your revised scope received on 07 January 2025. 
•  The relevant provisions of the FOI Act, specifically section 24A. 
•  The guidelines issued by the Australian Information Commissioner under S93A of the FOI Act. 


 
Charges 
There are no charges for this request. 
Internal Review of the Decision 
Section 54 of the FOI Act gives you the right to apply for an internal review of the decision by the ABS. 
Additionally, you may request a review of this decision by the Information Commissioner. Details of both 
procedures involved in an application to review a decision are set out at Attachment B
If you have any queries on this matter please contact the ABS FOI Contact Officer at 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
 
Deborah Wallace 
A/g Program Manager 
Planning, Compliance & Risk Branch 
Australian Bureau of Statistics 
 
13 January 2025 


ATTACHMENT A
    Basics
Policy & Legislation Section WDB
02/01/2025 12:23 PM
Sent by Kristina Chan
Send
To xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
cc xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx@M365, xxxxxxx.xxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx@M365, 
xxxxxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx@M365
bcc
Re: FW: Acknowledgement of your FOI request ABS reference : [FOI202425/25] [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Subject
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Good afternoon Nosey,
Thank you for your response.  We are currently searching for documents and identifying any 
agreements that may relate to your request. Your request is very broad, however we believe the 
agreements will provide the information you are seeking. 
We note your request for a waiver/reduction of charges on public interest grounds and will notify 
you of the decision as we progress your request. 
Kind regards
Kristina Chan
Policy and Legal Officer
Policy and Legislation Section  | Planning, Compliance and Risk Branch | Australian  
Bureau of Statistics
(E)  freedomofinformation @abs.gov.au   (W)  www.abs.gov.au


"Angalea Turnbull" 
"Angalea Turnbull" <xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xx...
01/01/2025 09:27:27 AM
    Basics
"Angalea Turnbull" 
01/01/2025 09:27 AM
<xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
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FW: Acknowledgement of your FOI request ABS reference : [FOI202425/25] [SEC=OFFICIAL]
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Visibility
Limited Readers
Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS, "Angalea Turnbull" <xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>, PALS WDB 
Editors
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Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS, PALS WDB Access , FOI Stakeholder Group
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Last modified
02/01/2025 09:35:17 AM  By  Kristina Chan/Staff/ABS
Document Id
DCOO-DCGUD3
-----Original Message-----
From: noseyrosey <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Monday, 30 December 2024 5:59 PM
To: Angalea Turnbull <xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: Acknowledgement of your FOI request ABS reference : [FOI202425/25] 
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
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Dear Kristina,

Thank you for your correspondence dated  18 December 2024, regarding my Freedom 
of Information (FOI) request received on 14 December 2024. I appreciate your 
clarification questions and offer the following responses to assist with the  
processing of my request.
Exclusion of Certain Details
I consent to the exclusion of the names and contact details of non -Senior 
Executive public servants, as well as the mobile phone numbers of Senior  
Executive public servants, from the scope of my request .
Draft Documents
I confirm that I am only seeking access to the final version of documents , or 
the latest version where no formal  "final" version exists. Drafts of documents 
may be excluded from the scope .
Duplicate Documents
I consent to the exclusion of duplicate documents , provided the final or 
complete version of any email chains or records is retained and included in  
the scope of the request.
Agency Name
I confirm that the agency referenced in my request is the Australian Bureau of  
Statistics (ABS).
Charges and Statutory Timeframe
While I note the ABS's policy to impose charges consistent with section  29 of 
the FOI Act, I request that any charges be waived or reduced on public  
interest grounds under section  29(5)(b). This request pertains to sensitive  
information sharing practices involving veterans , which is a matter of 
significant public interest, transparency, and accountability.
I also acknowledge your reference to the Census  & Statistics Act 1905, which 
may exempt some information from release . If any documents are withheld under  
this exemption or any other, I request that you provide detailed reasoning for  
each exemption applied in accordance with the FOI Act .
Please proceed with processing my request as clarified above . I look forward 
to receiving your decision within the statutory timeframe . Should you require 
any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me via email .

Yours sincerely,
Nosey
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Nosey,
 I refer to your application in which you seek access to documents under
 the Freedom of Information Act  1982 (FOI Act) (ABS reference FOI
 202425/25) regarding:
 "access to any and all documents , records, data, and supporting material
 held by [Name of Agency] concerning the sharing of personal information
 originating from the Department of Veterans ' Affairs (DVA) over the last
 ten years"
 Your request was received by the ABS on  14/10/2024 and the 30-day
 statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after
 that date.
 We understand your request seeks documents concerning the sharing of
 personal information that has originated from DVA between  14 December 2014
 to 14 December 2024, however we would like to clarify a few things . Please
 provide a contact number that we may be able to reach you on .
 In addition, before we commence processing your request can you please
 confirm the following via return e -mail:
  1. Whether you agree to the names and contact details of non -Senior
 Executive public servants, and the mobile phone numbers of Senior
 Executive public servants being excluded from the scope of this

 request;
  2. Where there are a number of drafts of a document , whether you are
 seeking access to those drafts , or only the final version of documents
 (this includes the latest version where no  'final' version was
 issued);
  3. Where there are duplicate documents , whether you agree to exclude them
 from the scope of this request ;
  4. That you confirm the name of the Agency in the scope of your request .
    It is ABS policy to impose charges consistent with section  29 of the
 FOI Act.  We will inform you of our decision in this respect once we have
 conducted a search for documents .
 To note, information collected under the authority of the Census  &
 Statistics Act 1905 (C&S Act), is exempt from release under Schedule  2,
 Part II, Division 2 of the FOI Act.
 Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns
 regarding this email. A response is appreciated as soon as possible .
 Kind regards
 Kristina
 Policy and Legal Officer
 Policy and Legislation Section | Legislative Compliance and Parliamentary
 Branch| Australian Bureau of Statistics
 (E)  [1][ABS request email]   (W)  [2]www.abs.gov.au
 [3]Inactive hide details for "noseyrosey" ---14/12/2024 02:41:15
 PM---"noseyrosey"
 <[FOI #12576 email]>"noseyrosey" ---14/12/2024
 02:41:15 PM---"noseyrosey" <[FOI #12576 email]>

 *
     Basics
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 Send To "FOI requests at ABS" <[ABS request email]>
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 Freedom of Information request  - Documents Relating to the
 Subject Sharing of DVA Client Information [4]Policy & Legislation
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 Editors Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS, PALS WDB Access
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 Last modified 16/12/2024 11:27:55 AM  By  Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS
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 Dear FOI Officer,
 I am making this request for access to documents under the Freedom of
 Information Act 1982 (Cth).
 I seek access to any and all documents , records, data, and supporting
 material held by [Name of Agency] concerning the sharing of personal
 information originating from the Department of Veterans ' Affairs (DVA)
 over the last ten years. This includes any data transfers from or to the
 DVA, whether they were one-off exchanges or ongoing, systematic transfers
 of DVA client information, including personal, medical, financial, or
 service-related details concerning veterans or their dependents .
 I am interested in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what DVA
 client information [Authority name] has received or accessed and for what
 purposes. Specifically, I request:
 All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and  [Authority name],
 including but not limited to memoranda of understanding , service-level
 agreements, emails, letters, meeting minutes, file transfer logs, internal
 reports, and instructions that outline what data was shared , when it was
 shared, and the format or system used for the transfer .
 Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how
 [Authority name] requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client

 information. This includes documents that detail the criteria for
 approving access to such data , any consent or authorization processes ,
 security controls, and retention or destruction policies .
 Copies of any ethics committee approvals , privacy impact assessments,
 internal review board decisions , or other documents that reflect
 deliberations or authorizations for obtaining DVA client information . This
 includes records that show the agency considered the ethical , legal, or
 privacy implications of receiving or using DVA client data .
 Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of the
 DVA client data, such as project proposals, business cases, internal
 strategy papers, or briefings that explain why  [Authority name] sought
 access to this information, how it was intended to be integrated into the
 agency's operations, and any expected outcomes or benefits .
 A representative sample (in a suitably de-identified or redacted form) of
 the data or data fields received , so long as providing this sample does
 not breach any exemption under the FOI Act . The purpose is to understand
 the nature and granularity of the information shared , without disclosing
 identifiable personal details .
 If the only data [Authority name] received pertains solely to data linked
 to the Centrelink Confirmation eServices  (CCeS) arrangements as described
 at
 [5]
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.services
australia.gov.au%2Fcentrelink-confirmation-eservices-cces&data=05%7C02%7Cpolic
y.and.legislation.section.wdb%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%
7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d721f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808501657570%7CUnknown%7CTW
FpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoi
TWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yN3eY7PwmwLU03%2BpCGXeNVNqzmlph4uz
AVKwfJT9cBs%3D&reserved=0,
 and there were no other forms of DVA data shared , then no CCeS-related

 data needs to be provided under this request .
 I emphasize that I am not authorizing the transfer of this FOI request to
 the Department of Veterans' Affairs or any other agency. If [Authority
 name] holds the requested information , it should provide it directly . If
 there are parts of this request that  [Name of Agency] does not understand
 or believes are not held, I invite you to contact me to clarify or refine
 the scope under section 24AB of the FOI Act, rather than initiating a
 transfer. However, I do not consent to the transfer of this request to
 another entity. The FOI Act places the onus on agencies to process
 requests for documents they hold , and I expect [Authority name] to meet
 its responsibilities in this regard .
 I note that the statutory timeframe for processing FOI requests is  30 days
 from the date of receipt. I do not consent to any extension of time due to
 internal reduced activity periods , holiday stand-down periods, or other
 internal operational issues. If [Authority name] considers that it cannot
 meet the 30-day timeframe, it may seek an extension from the Office of the
 Australian Information Commissioner as provided under section  15AB of the
 FOI Act. I request to be notified if such an application is made .
 If you consider any part of this request too broad or complex , please
 contact me promptly to discuss refining its scope . I remain willing to
 consider adjustments that will assist efficient processing , provided that
 they occur within the statutory timeframe and do not undermine the
 substance of what I am seeking .
 I believe that disclosure of these documents is in the public interest , as
 it promotes transparency and accountability in how government agencies
 access and use sensitive personal information about veterans . Should you

 consider charges applicable , I request that you exercise your discretion
 to reduce or waive them, given the importance of the matter and its
 alignment with the principles of open government and public
 accountability.
 I look forward to receiving your acknowledgment and decision within the
 statutory timeframe. Please contact me at the details below if you require
 further clarification.
 Yours sincerely,
 Nosey
 -------------------------------------------------------------------
 Please use this email address for all replies to this request :
 [FOI #12576 email]
 Is [ABS request email] the wrong address for Freedom of
 Information requests to Australian Bureau of Statistics ? If so, please
 contact us using this form:
 [6]
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lation.section.wdb%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%7C34cdb737c
4fa4c219a3488ac2d721f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504717182%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8e
yJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIld
UIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1axRIdLa0fRUp7wkIVPIMkag68j3dNuWt5OzC4EntKU%3
D&reserved=0
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 message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet .

 More information on how Right to Know works can be found at :
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%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d7
21f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504728695%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnR
ydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ %3D%3D%7C0%
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 -------------------------------------------------------------------
References
 Visible links
 1. mailto:[ABS request email]
 2. http://www.abs.gov.au/
 4. 
file:///tmp/Notes:/domco1510.corp.abs.gov.au/CA25814D00045998/F54534119E524D36
CA256D4800227591/67D6E3479B723BB5CA258BF5000275FF
 5. 
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.services
australia.gov.au%2Fcentrelink-confirmation-eservices-cces&data=05%7C02%7Cpolic
y.and.legislation.section.wdb%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%
7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d721f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504738786%7CUnknown%7CTW
FpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoi
TWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=w7Y4QNc2ARMD76eCm0zcZ1rJJw7p1zNij0
hPGp%2BVi%2FQ%3D&reserved=0
 6. 
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.righttok
now.org.au%2Fchange_request%2Fnew%3Fbody%3Dabs&data=05%7C02%7Cpolicy.and.legis
lation.section.wdb%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%7C34cdb737c
4fa4c219a3488ac2d721f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504748968%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8e
yJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIld
UIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yX07Ea%2FHNyQyXdxOj0HHb%2BOyYwEk4QGh33gSpoRNJ

0I%3D&reserved=0
 7. 
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.righttok
now.org.au%2Fhelp%2Fofficers&data=05%7C02%7Cpolicy.and.legislation.section.wdb
%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d7
21f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504759028%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnR
ydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ %3D%3D%7C0%
7C%7C%7C&sdata=jJnS86eCOVob0CpB3h6EQeoN%2FQz3umpRRPx2I1MxvZU%3D&reserved=0
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request :
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know . This message 
and any reply that you make will be published on the internet . More 
information on how Right to Know works can be found at :
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.righttok
now.org.au%2Fhelp%2Fofficers&data=05%7C02%7Cpolicy.and.legislation.section.wdb
%40abs.gov.au%7C93e20b0429b04e403b4108dd29ea4eca%7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d7
21f88%7C0%7C0%7C638712808504769030%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnR
ydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW 4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ %3D%3D%7C0%
7C%7C%7C&sdata=J5m0oQgIyF2BDhCxPbB4lCgrxiDBku%2Bp3134S%2BbDYQg%3D&reserved=0
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be  
delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer , please ask your web manager 
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-------------------------------------------------------------------


    Basics
Policy & Legislation Section WDB
08/01/2025 10:41 AM
Sent by Angalea Turnbull
Send
To noseyrosey <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
cc
bcc
Subject
Re: FW: Consultation request from the ABS  [SEC=OFFICIAL]
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Good morning Nosey,
Thank you for your quick response and refining the scope of your request. 
You will receive a response to your request from the ABS soon. 
Regards,
Angalea Turnbull
Policy & Legislation Section | Planning, Compliance & Risk Branch
Australian Bureau of Statistics
(E) xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx (W) www.abs.gov.au
"Angalea Turnbull" 
"Angalea Turnbull"
08/01/2025 08:28:50 AM
    Basics

"Angalea Turnbull" 
08/01/2025 08:28 AM
xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx
Send
To "Policy & Legislation Section WDB " <xxxxxx.xxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxx.xxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
cc
Subject
FW: Consultation request from the ABS  [SEC=OFFICIAL]
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Freedom of Information\Requests\Valid\2024/25
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Limited Readers
Editors
Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS, PALS WDB Access , Deborah Wallace /Staff/ABS
Readers
Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS, PALS WDB Access , FOI Stakeholder Group
Last modified
08/01/2025 08:33:37 AM  By  Angalea Turnbull/Staff/ABS
Document Id
DCOO-DCPT8P
-----Original Message-----
From: noseyrosey <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Tuesday, 7 January 2025 7:14 PM
To: Angalea Turnbull <xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Re: Consultation request from the ABS  [SEC=OFFICIAL]
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Dear Deborah Wallace,
Thank you for your letter dated  6 January 2025 regarding my Freedom of 
Information (FOI) request. I appreciate the opportunity to consult and revise  
the scope of my request to facilitate its processing . However, I must also 
remind you of the agency's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act  
1982 (Cth) to assist applicants in framing their requests , as set out in 
section 15(3) of the FOI Act.

The FOI Act requires agencies to take reasonable steps to assist applicants to  
make requests in a manner that complies with the Act . Further, section 3(4) 
emphasises that agencies are to exercise their functions and powers under the  
Act to facilitate and promote public access to information promptly and at the  
lowest reasonable cost. Sending generic refusal notices without actively  
assisting in refining the request does not align with these principles .
To address the grounds for practical refusal outlined in your letter , I 
propose the following revised request :
Revised Scope
I seek access to:
Memoranda of understanding  (MOUs), agreements, or similar documents that  
govern the sharing of personal information between the Australian Bureau of  
Statistics (ABS) and the Department of Veterans ' Affairs (DVA) over the last 
ten years.
Policies, procedures, or guidelines that outline how the ABS requests , 
receives, handles, stores, or uses client information originating from the  
DVA.
Reports, summaries, or reviews conducted by the ABS that evaluate or discuss  
the sharing of personal information between the ABS and the DVA .
Additional Clarifications
I am seeking documents that specifically pertain to DVA -collected client 
information shared with the ABS .
Please limit the search to documents held by Senior Executive Service  (SES) or 
project management staff.
I consent to the exclusion of names and contact details of non -Senior 
Executive staff, mobile numbers, duplicate documents, and draft versions.
This revised scope narrows the request to a manageable range of high -level 
documents, as suggested in your letter , while ensuring its purpose is met .
Obligations Under the FOI Act
I respectfully remind you of the agency 's obligation under section  24AB(3) to 
actively assist in refining the scope of requests during a practical refusal  
consultation process. This includes:
Clearly identifying why the request , as currently framed, is considered too 
broad.
Suggesting alternative, narrower scopes that would allow the agency to process  
the request without unreasonable diversion of resources .

Failure to provide adequate assistance or to engage meaningfully in this  
process would constitute non -compliance with the FOI Act and its intent to  
promote access to information .
I trust this revised request addresses your concerns and facilitates the  
processing of my request. If further clarification or adjustments are  
required, I ask that you outline these in detail , as required by the FOI Act , 
before the end of the consultation period .
Thank you for your attention to this matter . I look forward to your 
confirmation that my revised request can now proceed .
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Nosey,
 Please find attached the response from the ABS regarding your Freedom of
 Information request.
 (See attached file: Consultation Request from the ABS .pdf)
 Regards,
 Angalea Turnbull
 Policy & Legislation Section | Legislative Compliance & Parliamentary
 Australian Bureau of Statistics
 (E) [1][email address] (W) [2]www.abs.gov.au
References

 Visible links
 1. mailto:[email address]
 2. http://www.abs.gov.au/
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request :
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know . This message 
and any reply that you make will be published on the internet . More 
information on how Right to Know works can be found at :
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%40abs.gov.au%7Ce433fd7ecec64cd98fb608dd2f62478b%7C34cdb737c4fa4c219a3488ac2d7
21f88%7C0%7C0%7C638718821342437990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnR
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Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be  
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If you find this service useful as an FOI officer , please ask your web manager  
to link to us from your organisation 's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Australian Bureau of Statistics 
Locked Bag 10 | Belconnen ACT 2616 
 
 
 
 
 
                         
  FOI Ref: FOI202425/25 
 
 
 
Name: Nosey 
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx 
 
 
Dear Nosey, 
RE: YOUR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST [FOI202425/25] 
I refer to your request submitted 14 December 2024 under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI 
Act) in which you asked the ABS for: 
“access to any and all documents, records, data, and supporting material held by [Name of 
Agency] concerning the sharing of personal information originating from the Department of 
Veterans' Affairs (DVA) over the last ten years.”  

Purpose of this letter 
I am an officer authorised under section 23(1) of the FOI Act to make decisions in relation to FOI 
requests. 
I am writing to notify you that a practical refusal reason exists under Section 24AA(1)(a) of the FOI Act, as 
the work involved in processing your request in its current form would substantially and unreasonably 
divert the resources of this agency from its other operations. 
Grounds for a practical refusal of your request  
I have decided that a practical refusal reason exists because:  
As worded, this request includes searching for a broad range of documents. The ABS requires further 
clarification regarding the origin of the client information and the relevant information you seek in order 
to conduct a thorough and defensible search for documents.  
Request consultation process 
Before I make a final decision to refuse access, you have an opportunity to revise your request to enable 
it to proceed. Therefore, I am requesting a consultation process as set out under section 24AB of the 
FOI Act.  
Revising your request may include, but is not limited to, providing more specific detail or further 
clarification on the information you are seeking, for example: 
•  specifying clearly the client information you are referring to (ABS collected client information or 
DVA collected client information) for each point in your request. 
•  reducing the broadness of the request and identifying more specific information you are hoping 
to receive. 
•  identifying documents or information that is irrelevant to the request. 
•  limiting the search to identify specific types documents or information. 


 
•  limiting the search to documents held by specific staff, such as SES or project management 
staff only. 
Before the end of the consultation period, you must do one of the following in writing: 
1.  withdraw your request 
2.  make a revised request  
3.  tell us that you do not wish to revise your request. 
The consultation period runs for 14 days and starts on the day after the date on this notice. 
During this period, you are welcome to seek assistance from the ABS FOI team to revise your request. If 
you revise your request in a way that adequately addresses the practical refusal grounds outlined above, 
we will recommence processing it. Please note that the time taken to consult you regarding the scope of 
your request is not taken into account for the purpose of the 30-day time limit for processing your 
request. 
If you do not do one of the three things outlined above during the consultation period or you do not 
consult the contact person during this period, your request will be taken to have been withdrawn. 
Contact Person 
If you would like to revise your request or have any questions, please contact the ABS FOI Contact Officer 
at: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
 
 
 
Deborah Wallace 
A/g Program Manager 
Legislative Compliance and Parliamentary Branch 
Australian Bureau of Statistics 
 
06 January 2025 

ATTACHMENT B
INFORMATION ON RIGHTS OF REVIEW 
 
1.    INTERNAL REVIEW OF DECISION 
 
If you disagree with our decision you have the right to apply for an internal review under section 
54 of the FOI Act. 
 
Application for a review of the decision must be made within 30 days of receipt of this letter. 
No particular form is required but it would assist the decision-maker if you set out in the 
application the grounds on which you consider that the decision should be reviewed. 
 
Application for an internal review of the decision should be e-mailed to 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx or posted to: 
ABS FOI Contact Officer 
Policy  and  Legislation  Section 
Australian  Bureau  of  Statistics 
Locked Bag 10 
BELCONNEN ACT 2617 
 
 
2.    AUSTRALIAN INFORMATION COMMISSIONER REVIEW OF DECISION 
Section 54L of the Act gives you the right to seek a review of the decision from the Information 
Commissioner.  An application for review must be made within 60 days of receiving the decision. 
 
An application for Information Commissioner review of the decision can be made via this 
online form.  Alternatively, you can apply for Information Commissioner review via email at 
xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or via post to: 
FOI Regulatory Group  
GPO Box 5228 
SYDNEY  NSW  2001 
 
 
3.    COMPLAINTS TO THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER 
 
Section 70 of the Act provides that a person may complain to the Information Commissioner 
about action taken by an agency in the exercise of powers or the performance of functions 
under the Act. 
 
A complaint to the Information Commissioner must be in writing and identify the agency the 
complaint is about. You can lodge a complaint to the Information Commissioner via this 
online form. Alternatively, you can lodge your complaint via email to xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx or 
via post to:  
FOI Regulatory Group 
GPO Box 5228 
SYDNEY  NSW  2001 
 
The Information Commissioner may decline to investigate the complaint in a number of 
circumstances, including that you did not exercise your right to ask the agency, the 
Information Commissioner, a court or tribunal to review the decision. 

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