From:
FOI
To:
OAIC - FOI DR
Cc:
FOI
Subject:
RE: MR22/01812 - Request for Further Information [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Tuesday, 30 July 2024 6:28:15 PM
Attachments:
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MR22 01812 - s 55V and 55(e) notices.pdf
Searches - September 2022.pdf
Searches - July 2024.pdf
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OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL
PMO reference: PM/22/006
OAIC reference: MR22/01812
Dear Ji
We write on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office (the Office) with regards to the attached section
55V and 55(2)(e)(ii) notices (the notices).
The Office provides the following information in response.
· As outlined in the submissions of 24 January 2024 and 25 June 2024, the two advisers with
knowledge of the subject matter were identified and asked to search their records for
responsive documents. While the Office does not have designated ‘line areas’ as referred
to in the notices, the Office confirms that the advisers were those responsible for the
subject matter relevant to the scope of the request (i.e. they were, for all intents and
purposes, the relevant ‘line areas’).
· The search request extended to emails and ‘any other storage system used for work
records’, which necessarily includes all relevant physical and electronic systems and
devices used by those advisers.
· Moreover, the advisers confirmed to the decision-maker they were not aware of any
further communications on the subject of the request (this includes any communications
with the Prime Minister). The Chief of Staff has now separately confirmed that he is also
not aware of any such communications (see below).
· Following searches of all relevant repositories, two documents were in fact located and
released to the applicant subject to relevant exemptions. This is not a case where

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documents have not been found in relation to the FOI request as a whole. Section 24A was
only applied in relation to a very specific portion of the request.
· Noting the directions outlined in the notices for further searches, the Prime Minister’s
Chief of Staff has undertaken additional searches for documents relevant to the request.
Details of those searches are set out in one of the attachments to this email. No further
documents have been found.
Please find attached the documents recording the searches undertaken by relevant advisers within
the Office, as well as the recent additional search undertaken by the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff.
Kind regards
Tim
Adviser | FOI Section
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box 6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. xxx@xxx.xxx.xx  w. pmc.gov.au

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