Algorithms in use to determine threat risk to asylum seekers

Tim Singleton Norton made this Freedom of Information request to Australian Border Force

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

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The request was refused by Australian Border Force.

Dear Australian Border Force,

I am writing under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act to request the documents directly relating to the source code of the Security Risk Assessment Tool (SRAT) in use within Australian immigration detention centres.

In August 2017 it was reported in media that the SRAT was being used to assess the security risk of asylum seekers, criminals and visa overstayers in Australian immigration detention centres.
(https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/...)

Please note that I am not requesting documentation relating to the operation of the SRAT - I am specifically requesting the source code of the algorithm software.

The FOI Act outlines a 'document' as being 'any article on which information has been stored or recorded, either mechanically or electronically'.

I also note the OAIC FOI Guidelines 2.36 which states that 'Any record of information which an agency has downloaded from a shared database or any other database and stored on hard disks or file servers in its physical possession should be treated as a ‘document’ of that agency.'

This request therefore seeks the information housed in the electronically stored documents that include written scripts or code that makes up the SRAT software.

Yours faithfully,

Tim Singleton Norton

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Information updated 8 January 2018

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References

UNCLASSIFIED

In reply please quote:

FOI Request: FA 18/08/00495

File Number: ADF2018/173762

Dear Mr Singleton Norton

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

I refer to your correspondence received on 7 August 2018 seeking access to
documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have requested access to the following:

Documents directly relating to the source code of the Security Risk
Assessment Tool (SRAT) in use within Australian immigration detention
centres.

In August 2017 it was reported in media that the SRAT was being used to
assess the security risk of asylum seekers, criminals and visa overstayers
in Australian immigration detention centres.
(<https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/...>)

Please note that I am not requesting documentation relating to the
operation of the SRAT - I am specifically requesting the source code of
the algorithm software.

Your request was received by the Department on 7 August 2018 and has been
allocated FOI request number FA 18/08/00495. Please include your FOI
request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information
Section.

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Contacting the FOI Section

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[1][email address].

FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section

FOI and Records Management

Productivity and Compliance Division | Corporate and Enabling Group

Department of Home Affairs
UNCLASSIFIED

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

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1. mailto:[email address]

UNCLASSIFIED

Our references: FA 18/08/00495; ADF2018/173762

Dear Mr Singleton Norton

I refer to your correspondence received on 7 August 2018 seeking access to
documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have requested access to the following:

Documents directly relating to the source code of the Security Risk
Assessment Tool (SRAT) in use within Australian immigration detention
centres.

In August 2017 it was reported in media that the SRAT was being used to
assess the security risk of asylum seekers, criminals and visa overstayers
in Australian immigration detention centres.
(<[1]https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/...>)

Please note that I am not requesting documentation relating to the
operation of the SRAT - I am specifically requesting the source code of
the algorithm software.

The Department has previously processed a similar request on 22 December
2017. This request can be accessed via the Department’s FOI Disclosure Log
at:
[2]https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/acc...
(see FA 17/09/00524 for the decision record and document released).

Could you kindly withdraw your FOI request by Monday 17 September 2018 if
this information meets your request.

Kind regards

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information (FOI) Section | FOI and Records Management Branch

Productivity and Compliance Division | Corporate and Enabling Group

Department of Home Affairs

P: 02 6223 9237

E: [3][email address]

UNCLASSIFIED

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/...
2. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about/acc...
3. mailto:[email address]

Dear FOI Officer

Thank you for your reply.

As I stated in my initial request, I am not requesting documentation relating to the operation of the SRAT - I am specifically requesting the source code of the algorithm software.

The FOI Act outlines a 'document' as being 'any article on which information has been stored or recorded, either mechanically or electronically'.

The previously published FOI request (FA 17/09/00524) did not result in the electronically stored documents that include written scripts or code that makes up the SRAT software being released, therefore it does not fulfill the requirements of my own request.

Please advise as to when my FOI request will be completed.

Yours sincerely,

Tim Singleton Norton

FA 180800495 decision record.pdf

270K Download View as HTML

UNCLASSIFIED

Dear Mr Singleton Norton

FOI request FA 18/08/00495

I refer to your FOI request received on 7 August 2018, seeking access to
the following:

'Documents directly relating to the source code of the Security Risk
Assessment Tool (SRAT) in use within Australian immigration detention
centres to assess the security risk of asylum seekers, criminals and visa
oversteers in, as reported in media in August 2017.'

The Department has made a decision on this request. Please find attached
the decision record.

This request has now been closed.

Kind regards

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information (FOI) Section | FOI and Records Management Branch

Productivity and Compliance Division | Corporate and Enabling Group

Department of Home Affairs

E: [1][email address]

UNCLASSIFIED

Unsolicited commercial emails MUST NOT be sent to the originator of this
email.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]

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