Canberra Matrix
Dear FOI Officer,
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (ACT), I am writing to request access to documents and information pertaining to the decision-making process and criteria used to determine the occupations included in the ACT Government's Critical Skills Shortage pathway.
I request the following information. If any of these would incur a fee to me I ask that you provide a subset of the documents requested that would be free, with the those documents requested first given priority.
- Detailed criteria and metrics used to evaluate and select occupations for the Critical Skills Shortage List for the past three years.
- Documents outlining the methodology and sources of data for assessing labor market needs, particularly for trades, construction, and medical occupations.
- Minutes, summaries, or reports from meetings where the Critical Skills Shortage List was discussed, highlighting input from stakeholders concerning these specific sectors.
- Documents justifying the quotas allocated for each occupation on the Critical Skills Shortage List for the past three years. I.e. Explanation and rationale behind the quota distribution, specifically why trades, construction, and medical occupations received their respective quotas.
- Internal communications, emails, and memos discussing the exclusion or limited inclusion of trades, construction, and medical occupations.
- Impact assessments or reports evaluating the effects of the current Critical Skills Shortage List on local labor markets, particularly for trades, construction, and medical sectors.
- Any reviews or evaluations of the Critical Skills Shortage pathway’s effectiveness in addressing labor shortages in the ACT.
I request that the documents be provided in electronic format where possible.
I respectfully request that any fees associated with processing this FOI request be waived. Under Section 30 of the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (ACT), fees can be waived or reduced if the release of information is in the public interest or if the applicant is experiencing financial hardship. I believe my request meets these criteria for the following reasons:
The information sought pertains to the effective allocation of the Critical Skills Shortage pathway, a matter of significant public interest noting cost of living, affordable housing and wait lists. Noting my concerns about cost of living, cost associated with this FOI would be obstructive.
Releasing this information will promote transparency and accountability within the ACT Government. It will help the public understand the rationale behind the inclusion and exclusion of specific occupations, thereby fostering trust in the decision-making process.
There have been instances where fees for FOI requests were waived due to the significant public interest involved. The Australian Information Commissioner has emphasized that promoting transparency and the public's right to know can justify waiving fees.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Miranda Townsend
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Ms Townsend,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACCESS APPLICATION
I refer to your access application received by the Chief Minister,
Treasury and Economic Development Directorate on 18 June 2024 in which you
sought access to information under the Freedom of Information Act 2016
(the Act).
Specifically, you are seeking:
“Under the Freedom of Information Act 2016 (ACT), I am writing to request
access to documents and information pertaining to the decision-making
process and criteria used to determine the occupations included in the ACT
Government's Critical Skills Shortage pathway.
I request the following information. If any of these would incur a fee to
me I ask that you provide a subset of the documents requested that would
be free, with the those documents requested first given priority.
- Detailed criteria and metrics used to evaluate and select occupations
for the Critical Skills Shortage List for the past three years.
- Documents outlining the methodology and sources of data for assessing
labor market needs, particularly for trades, construction, and medical
occupations.
- Minutes, summaries, or reports from meetings where the Critical
Skills Shortage List was discussed, highlighting input from stakeholders
concerning these specific sectors.
- Documents justifying the quotas allocated for each occupation on the
Critical Skills Shortage List for the past three years. I.e. Explanation
and rationale behind the quota distribution, specifically why trades,
construction, and medical occupations received their respective quotas.
- Internal communications, emails, and memos discussing the exclusion
or limited inclusion of trades, construction, and medical occupations.
- Impact assessments or reports evaluating the effects of the current
Critical Skills Shortage List on local labor markets, particularly for
trades, construction, and medical sectors.
- Any reviews or evaluations of the Critical Skills Shortage pathway’s
effectiveness in addressing labor shortages in the ACT….”
Decision Due Date
Please note on 24 May 2023, an amendment to the Act was made effective
which applies to access applications received on 24 May 2023 and onwards.
In accordance with section 40 of the Act, we are required to provide you
with a decision on access to the documents within the terms of your
request within 30 working days of receipt. Therefore, the due date for a
decision on your application is 30 July 2024.
Third Party Consultation
In processing your application, consultation with relevant third parties
may be required. If this is the case, you will be notified to this effect
and advised of a revised decision due date in respect of your application.
In terms of the Act, if third party consultation is required, the due date
may be extended by 15 working days.
Charges
Please be aware that processing charges may be payable in relation to your
request. Should you be liable to pay a processing charge, you will be
notified in writing of the preliminary assessment and given an opportunity
to make an application that the charge should be remitted in whole or in
part. This may affect the time within which your application is
processed.
Open Access Information
The FOI Act requires that details regarding your request such as your
application, decision notices, and information released to you, be
recorded in the agency disclosure log and be made publicly available no
earlier than three working days after a decision on access has been given
to you. Please be aware that while no personal information will be
included in the published information all other information will be
published on [1]https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/functions/....
Should you have any queries in relation to your request please contact me
by telephone on 02 6207 7754 or email [2][email address].
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Coordinator | Information Access Team
Phone: 02 6207 7754 | Email: [3][email address]
Corporate | Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
| ACT Government
Level 1, 220 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2601 | GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT
2601 | [4]act.gov.au
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