Correspondence between DFAT Canberra and Australian High Commission to Malaysia
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
This request for information is made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
This is an application for correspondence between the DFAT in Canberra and the Australian High Commission to Malaysia between February 15, 2013 and April 19, 2013 in relation to the subject of Senator Nick Xenephon and his deportation from Malaysia in February 2013.
Based upon the above parameters, I am requesting the following :
1. All correspondence and briefs prepared for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Bob Carr MP;
2. All correspondence and briefs prepared for the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Miles Kupa;
3. All correspondence between the Hon Bob Carr and Mr. Miles Kupa;
4. Any documents, advice, reports or emails received by DFAT Canberra from the Australian High Commission to Malaysia;
5. Any documents, advice, reports or emails received by the High Commisioner to Malaysia from the Malaysian Government or any agency of the Malaysian Government.
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Brewster
Our Ref: 1304-F538
Dear Mr Brewster
Re: Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
Thank you for your email below in which you seek access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to certain documents relating to Senator Xenephon's deportation from Malaysia in February 2013.
Searches are now being undertaken in relevant areas of the Department for documents relevant to your request. I will contact you again once the searches have been completed.
I take this opportunity to inform you that the FOI Act provides that an agency is obliged to consult with third parties on the release of their personal information and to give him/her the opportunity to voice their concerns on the release of such information. This does not confer the right of veto on the release of that information. The Department’s decision-maker will, however, take into consideration those concerns when making his/her decision.
If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large for processing, the Department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the request. Please note that the statutory timeframe for the processing of requests begins at the point that an agreed scope for your request is reached. A maximum of two attempts at revising the scope of a request to make it able to be processed will be undertaken.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Department by email at [DFAT request email]
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
International Law Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Dear Scott, John,
Thank you for your recent reply.
How is the search going and is there anything else you require from at the moment?
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Brewster
Dear Mr Brewster
Thank you for your email.
Searches for relevant material are being conducted in two areas of the Department and our mission in Kuala Lumpur. I expect returns from all areas to be submitted this week following which we will be in a position to assess and notify you of costs to process the request . No further action is required from your end at this stage. I shall be in touch.
Kind regards
John
John Scott
Executive Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
Dear Mr Brewster
Please find attached our charges letter in relation to your recent FOI request.
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
Dear Scott, John,
Thank you for assistance on this matter.
Based on consultation with yourself and in reply to the letter dated 6 May, 2013, I elect to narrow the scope of my request.
Specifically, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, I request information relating to the following:
All documents held in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)in Canberra relating to the deportation of Senator Nick Xenephon from Malaysia in February this year.
All correspondence between the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and the Malaysian Government relating to the deportation of Senator Nick Xenephon from Malaysia in February this year.
Any or all ministerial submissions generated for the Hon. Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs, by DFAT relating to the deportation of Senator Nick Xenephon from Malaysia in February this year.
All of the above requests are defined by and within the date range of February 15, 2013 to April 19, 2013.
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Brewster
Hi Anthony
Please call the undersigned at your convenience to discuss your FOI
request.
Regards
John Scott
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
Dear Mr Brewster
Our recent discussions on the above matter refer.
The attached charges letter provides our cost to process your re-scoped request. It is self-explanatory.
Please contact me if you wish to discuss
John Scott
Executive Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
Dear Mr Brewster,
As there has been no response to this charges letter issued on 30 May 2013, your request has been deemed to be withdrawn, in accordance with section 29(2) of the FOI Act.
Yours sincerely,
Ada Cheung
a/g Director
Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section
Domestic Law Branch
International Law Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Tel: +61 2 6261 3470
Fax: +61 2 6261 2144