3 January 2025
Our ref: 2024/16417
Nosey Rosey

BY EMAIL ONLY:  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx

To whom it may concern,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – DVA Records
I refer to your request received by AMSA on 14 December 2024 in which you sought access
to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).  The request sought
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.
…
Specifically, I request:
Al  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.
…
Timeframe for processing your request
Your request was received by AMSA on 14 December  2024. The statutory period for
processing your request is 30 days. The timeframe for processing your request therefore
expires on 13 January 2025.
Decision
I am an authorised decision maker under section 23 of the FOI Act.
After taking all reasonable steps to locate relevant documents relating to your aforementioned
request, I am satisfied that no such documents are in the possession of AMSA that fall within
the scope of your request. I therefore resolve your application under section 24A(1) of the FOI
Act on the basis that the requested documents do not exist.
Review rights
You are entitled to seek review of this decision. Attachment A sets out your rights to apply for
review if you are dissatisfied with my decision.
Contacts
If you have any queries about this notice, please do not hesitate to contact AMSA’s FOI team
at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely,

Ruth
Delegate
Australian Maritime Safety Authority



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Attachment A - review rights
If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you may apply for internal review or Information
Commissioner review of the decision. We encourage you to seek internal review as a first step
as it may provide a more rapid resolution of your concerns.

Internal review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you may apply in writing to AMSA for an internal review of my
decision. The internal review application must be made within 30 days of the date of this letter.
Where possible please attach reasons why you believe review of the decision is necessary.
The internal review wil  be carried out by another officer within 30 days.
An internal review application should be addressed to:


The Freedom of Information Of icer

Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
If you choose to seek an internal review, you wil subsequently have a right to apply to the
Australian Information Commissioner for a review of the internal review decision.

Information commissioner review
Under section 54L of the FOI Act, you may apply to the Australian Information Commissioner
to review my decision. An application for review by the Information Commissioner must be
made in writing within 60 days of the date of this letter, and be lodged in one of the following
ways:
online:https:/ forms.business.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ICR_10
email: xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
post: GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 2001
More information about Information Commissioner review is available on the Of ice of the
Australian Information Commissioner website. Go to https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-
ofinformation/freedom-of-information-guidance-for-government-agencies/freedom-
ofinformation-reviews/summary-of-the-freedom-of-information-review-process

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FOI complaints
If you are unhappy with the way AMSA has handled your FOI request, please let us know
what we could have done better. We may be able to rectify the problem. If you are not
satisfied with our response, you can make a complaint to the Australian Information
Commissioner. A complaint to the Information Commissioner must be made in writing.
Complaints can be lodged in one of the following ways:
Online:
https:/ forms.business.gov.au/smartforms/servlet/SmartForm.html?formCode=ICCA_1

Email: xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx
Post: GPO Box 5218, Sydney 2001, NSW
More information about complaints is available on the Ofice of the Australian Information
Commissioner website at https:/ www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-information/your-freedom-of-
informationrights/freedom-of-information-complaints/make-an-foi-complaint

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Document Outline