Carer Allowance costs, benefits, and outcomes
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please provide, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, all information relating to the operations, costs, benefits, and outcomes for Carer Allowance since 2020. Please include
a. the numbers of people who received Carer Allowance broken down by financial year, CA (child) or CA (adult), and disability type,
b. policy documents, reviews, assessments, and progress reports of the Carer Allowance scheme, and
c. information relating to discussion and questions relating to Carer Allowance at DSS's DRO Forums.
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
Thank you for your email. We need a little more information before we can
process your request, and wanted to advise that even with that information
it may also be too large for the Department to process.
The information we require pertains to the part of the request seeks
“information relating to discussion and questions relating to Carer
Allowance at DSS's DRO Forums”. Could you please advise what the “DRO
Forums” are?
In addition to the above, we wanted to draw your attention to another
issue with the request. While not intentional it seeks every document
generated in connection with the Carer Allowance over the last 4 years.
This would include, for example, every email generated in connection with
the Carer Allowance over that timeframe, and would potentially amount to
thousands of documents. The Department does not have the capacity to
process a request of that size.
To avoid a potential practical refusal decision, we recommend that you
limit any future request to the specific information you are interested
in, and avoiding using terms like “all information relating to” in its
scope.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 11:09 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs, benefits,
and outcomes
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please provide, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act,
all information relating to the operations, costs, benefits, and outcomes
for Carer Allowance since 2020. Please include a. the numbers of people
who received Carer Allowance broken down by financial year, CA (child) or
CA (adult), and disability type, b. policy documents, reviews,
assessments, and progress reports of the Carer Allowance scheme, and c.
information relating to discussion and questions relating to Carer
Allowance at DSS's DRO Forums.
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
Is [2][Department of Social Services request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests
to Department of Social Services? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[3]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[4]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
3. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
4. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
You ask "Could you please advise what the 'DRO Forums' are?"
DSS hold regular "forums", every 3 months (quarter-year) or so, for the organisations it recognises a Disability Representtative Organisations (DROs) - see https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilit...
These forums are usually organised and managed by senior officials in the Department of Social Security. I had been attending these regular forms as Autism Asperger Advocacy Australia's (A4) co-convenor while was recognised as a DRO (until end-June 2024). I attend the latest DRO Forum as a member of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations consortium.
I hope this helps. Please contact me if you have further question or wiould like more information.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good morning Bob
Thank you for the clarification re: DRO forums.
Did you also want to refine the scope further so that it no longer
captures every document generated in connection with the Carer Allowance
over the last 4 years?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2024 6:22 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs,
benefits, and outcomes [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
You ask "Could you please advise what the 'DRO Forums' are?"
DSS hold regular "forums", every 3 months (quarter-year) or so, for the
organisations it recognises a Disability Representtative Organisations
(DROs) - see
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilit...
These forums are usually organised and managed by senior officials in the
Department of Social Security. I had been attending these regular forms as
Autism Asperger Advocacy Australia's (A4) co-convenor while was recognised
as a DRO (until end-June 2024). I attend the latest DRO Forum as a member
of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations consortium.
I hope this helps. Please contact me if you have further question or
wiould like more information.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
Thank you for your email. We need a little more information before we can
process your request, and wanted to advise that even with that information
it may also be too large for the Department to process.
The information we require pertains to the part of the request seeks
“information relating to discussion and questions relating to Carer
Allowance at DSS's DRO Forums”. Could you please advise what the “DRO
Forums” are?
In addition to the above, we wanted to draw your attention to another
issue with the request. While not intentional it seeks every document
generated in connection with the Carer Allowance over the last 4 years.
This would include, for example, every email generated in connection with
the Carer Allowance over that timeframe, and would potentially amount to
thousands of documents. The Department does not have the capacity to
process a request of that size.
To avoid a potential practical refusal decision, we recommend that you
limit any future request to the specific information you are interested
in, and avoiding using terms like “all information relating to” in its
scope.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[2][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[3]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilit...
2. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
3. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I'm not sure my request "captures every document generated in connection with the Carer Allowance
over the last 4 years". It is intended to capture policy and program administration, planning, and delivery. I am not interested in information relating to specific individuals who apply for or receive a Carer Allowance.
As indicated, I am especially interested in the Department's monitoring and reporting of the program delivery ... including any issues or concerns raised and what has or is being done about them. I am also interested in absences of concerns and issues being raised.
I hope this helps.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
We can only process requests as they are written, and while you may intend
differently, it appears to seek all documents that the Department holds
related to the policy and program administration, planning, and delivery
of Carer Allowance generated over the last 4 years. This is because the
opening line of your request reads “Please provide, under the provisions
of the Freedom of Information Act, all information relating to the
operations, costs, benefits, and outcomes for Carer Allowance since 2020.”
As advised previously this is potentially thousands of documents and too
large for the Department to process.
A potential alternate request could be:
Briefs to SES (including attachments) that concern the delivery of the
Carer’s Allowance program issued since 2020.
Would you like to refine it to something along the above lines?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 8:41 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs,
benefits, and outcomes [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
I'm not sure my request "captures every document generated in connection
with the Carer Allowance
over the last 4 years". It is intended to capture policy and program
administration, planning, and delivery. I am not interested in information
relating to specific individuals who apply for or receive a Carer
Allowance.
As indicated, I am especially interested in the Department's monitoring
and reporting of the program delivery ... including any issues or concerns
raised and what has or is being done about them. I am also interested in
absences of concerns and issues being raised.
I hope this helps.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Good morning Bob
Thank you for the clarification re: DRO forums.
Did you also want to refine the scope further so that it no longer
captures every document generated in connection with the Carer Allowance
over the last 4 years?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
Please provide briefs to and communications with SES (including attachments) relating to implementation and delivery of Carer’s Allowance program since 2020.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
The inclusion of “communications with SES” would include every email sent
to an SES officer since 1 January 2020 that has a passing relevance to the
to implementation and delivery of Carer’s Allowance program since 2020.
Is the request intended to capture this information, or would you like to
limit it to briefs?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 10:45 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs,
benefits, and outcomes [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
Please provide briefs to and communications with SES (including
attachments) relating to implementation and delivery of Carer’s Allowance
program since 2020.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
We can only process requests as they are written, and while you may intend
differently, it appears to seek all documents that the Department holds
related to the policy and program administration, planning, and delivery
of Carer Allowance generated over the last 4 years. This is because the
opening line of your request reads “Please provide, under the provisions
of the Freedom of Information Act, all information relating to the
operations, costs, benefits, and outcomes for Carer Allowance since 2020.”
As advised previously this is potentially thousands of documents and too
large for the Department to process.
A potential alternate request could be:
Briefs to SES (including attachments) that concern the delivery of the
Carer’s Allowance program issued since 2020.
Would you like to refine it to something along the above lines?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
Yes, that is what I would like to capture. My concern is that the Carer Allowance scheme, especially the children's part of it, has been left to languish. I doubt there are many briefs so I expect any information that exists will be in those passing references.
If during processing you discover that is not the case, I am prepared to discuss it further.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
We understand that you do not wish to refine the scope of your request.
Formal tasking is below.
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 16 September 2024, in which you, are requesting
requested access under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982
(FOI Act) to:
all briefs and communications with SES officers sent or received since 1
January 2020 (including attachments) that relate to the implementation and
delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
The decision for this request is currently due on 16 October 2024. This
timeframe may be extended, for example, where the Department decides to
consult with third parties. We will inform you if this occurs.
Removal of certain information from the scope of your request
The Department is seeking your agreement to remove the following
information from the scope of your request where it is not available from
public sources:
o group email addresses used for internal departmental purposes;
o all personal information of members of the public;
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES)
government staff; and
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the
exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
If you agree to the above amendment the names of the Department’s SES
staff will be released where they are present in the documents and do not
attract an exemption.
Could you please respond to this email by 21 September 2024 to confirm
your agreement to this change.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 11:17 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs,
benefits, and outcomes [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
Yes, that is what I would like to capture. My concern is that the Carer
Allowance scheme, especially the children's part of it, has been left to
languish. I doubt there are many briefs so I expect any information that
exists will be in those passing references.
If during processing you discover that is not the case, I am prepared to
discuss it further.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
The inclusion of “communications with SES” would include every email sent
to an SES officer since 1 January 2020 that has a passing relevance to the
to implementation and delivery of Carer’s Allowance program since 2020.
Is the request intended to capture this information, or would you like to
limit it to briefs?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[2][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[3]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
2. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
3. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
thank you for your attempts to understand my request. I feel some of your wording possibly excludes some information that I am keen to see.
1. I am concerned that the Department may have information that somehow was not (formally) provided to "SES officers". I am concerned that the practice of "plausible deniability" is rife in the modern APS.
2. I am interested in policy development, review and outcomes. My request is much broader than "the implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program" phrase in your rewording.
3. there is no reason to exclude "group email addresses" or "all personal information of members of the public" if the person has a relevant public role. It may be reasonable if the person is involved purely on a personal basis.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached correspondence in relation to FOI request LEX 51699.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
I am sorry, I don't understand what you want from me or what options you think I have.
You say "This would include every email sent or received over this timeframe". I find that claim simply astounding; I do not believe "every email sent or received" relates to "the implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program". I am confident that your Department administers many other issues (for example, the National Autism Strategy development or Australia's Disability Strategy). These all fall outside the scope of my request.
However, if this work really is that arduous, I am prepared for you to focus on the Carer Allowance (child) part of the program for now.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
As advised previously, the scope of your request - all briefs and
communications with SES officers sent or received since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that relate to the implementation and delivery of
the Carer Allowance program is very broad. Post acknowledgement of the
request you advised that the scope as written above is intended to be
wider, and that it should also capture all briefs and communication
related to policy development, review and outcomes of the Carer Allowance
program.
We have advised previously that using terms like “relates to” in the scope
of a request can increase the size of a request significantly. On this
occasion using the word “relates to” means that every email sent or
received by an SES officer in the past four years that has passing
relevance to Carer Allowance is caught within its scope. This would also
naturally include all emails related to the Carer Payment, given its close
relationship with Carer Allowance.
We note that you may intend to be seeking specific information regarding a
certain aspect of Carer Allowance, however the wording of the request is
such that it is not targeted, and captures a broad range of
correspdondence with varying relevance to Carer Allowance.
Would you like to refine the scope of your request to better specify the
documents you are seeking, shorten the timeframe, and remove the term
“relates to” from the scope?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[1][FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 6:07 PM
To: FOI <[2][Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Re: Department of Social Services - LEX 51699 - Notice of
intention to refuse [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
I am sorry, I don't understand what you want from me or what options you
think I have.
You say "This would include every email sent or received over this
timeframe". I find that claim simply astounding; I do not believe "every
email sent or received" relates to "the implementation and delivery of the
Carer Allowance program". I am confident that your Department administers
many other issues (for example, the National Autism Strategy development
or Australia's Disability Strategy). These all fall outside the scope of
my request.
However, if this work really is that arduous, I am prepared for you to
focus on the Carer Allowance (child) part of the program for now.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
Please find attached correspondence in relation to FOI request LEX 51699.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. [3]mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[5]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
3. mailto:[department
4. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
5. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I understand that you feel there may be a very large amount of information that meets my request. On the otherhand, I doubt that very much.
It seems to me that the only way to resolve this is to start the search and see how much turns up to be processed.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good afternoon Mr Buckley
We have conducted preliminary enquiries, and are advising you of their
outcome.
Could you please confirm that you do not wish to revise the scope of your
request? Once you provide this confirmation we will continue to process it
with the original scope as set out below:
all briefs and communications with SES officers sent or received since 1
January 2020 (including attachments) that relate to the implementation and
delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
Please note that taking this path will likley not change our position as
set out in the notice of intention to refuse the request issued on 23
September 2024.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2024 5:23 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Department of Social Services - LEX 51699 - Notice of
intention to refuse [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
I understand that you feel there may be a very large amount of information
that meets my request. On the otherhand, I doubt that very much.
It seems to me that the only way to resolve this is to start the search
and see how much turns up to be processed.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
As advised previously, the scope of your request - all briefs and
communications with SES officers sent or received since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that relate to the implementation and delivery of
the Carer Allowance program is very broad. Post acknowledgement of the
request you advised that the scope as written above is intended to be
wider, and that it should also capture all briefs and communication
related to policy development, review and outcomes of the Carer Allowance
program.
We have advised previously that using terms like “relates to” in the scope
of a request can increase the size of a request significantly. On this
occasion using the word “relates to” means that every email sent or
received by an SES officer in the past four years that has passing
relevance to Carer Allowance is caught within its scope. This would also
naturally include all emails related to the Carer Payment, given its close
relationship with Carer Allowance.
We note that you may intend to be seeking specific information regarding a
certain aspect of Carer Allowance, however the wording of the request is
such that it is not targeted, and captures a broad range of
correspdondence with varying relevance to Carer Allowance.
Would you like to refine the scope of your request to better specify the
documents you are seeking, shorten the timeframe, and remove the term
“relates to” from the scope?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
My request was for "information". Apparently, you interpret that as "briefs and communications with SES officers sent or received" ... which seems quite different (and limited) to me. It seems I have to accept your version ... so please proceed accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good morning Mr Buckley
Thanks for the response. Noting your concerns as to the wording of the
scope, we can process the request as follows if you prefer:
all documents held, sent or received by SES officers since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that contains information that relates to the
implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
As this is wider than the scope subject to the notice of intention to
refuse it will capture more documents, but it will likely result in a
similar decision noting our comments regarding the breath of the original
request.
Would you like us to process the request with the broader scope as set out
above?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2024 9:12 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Department of Social Services - LEX 51699 - Notice of
intention to refuse [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
My request was for "information". Apparently, you interpret that as
"briefs and communications with SES officers sent or received" ... which
seems quite different (and limited) to me. It seems I have to accept your
version ... so please proceed accordingly.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Mr Buckley
We have conducted preliminary enquiries, and are advising you of their
outcome.
Could you please confirm that you do not wish to revise the scope of your
request? Once you provide this confirmation we will continue to process it
with the original scope as set out below:
all briefs and communications with SES officers sent or received since 1
January 2020 (including attachments) that relate to the implementation and
delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
Please note that taking this path will likley not change our position as
set out in the notice of intention to refuse the request issued on 23
September 2024.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
Thank you. I think that better covers what I'm looking for.
Please proceed.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
We understand that you would like the Department to continue processing
the request with the scope:
all documents held, sent or received by SES officers since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that contains information that relates to the
implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
This brings an end to the request consultation. The statutory deadline for
decision is now 21 October 2024.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Friday, September 27, 2024 11:11 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Department of Social Services - LEX 51699 - Notice of
intention to refuse [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
Thank you. I think that better covers what I'm looking for.
Please proceed.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Good morning Mr Buckley
Thanks for the response. Noting your concerns as to the wording of the
scope, we can process the request as follows if you prefer:
all documents held, sent or received by SES officers since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that contains information that relates to the
implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
As this is wider than the scope subject to the notice of intention to
refuse it will capture more documents, but it will likely result in a
similar decision noting our comments regarding the breath of the original
request.
Would you like us to process the request with the broader scope as set out
above?
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I submitted my request on the 9/9/2024. Section 5b of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 says
(5) On receiving a request, the agency or Minister must:
...
(b) as soon as practicable but in any case not later than the end of the period of 30 days after the day on which the request is received by or on behalf of the agency or Minister, take all reasonable steps to enable the applicant to be notified of a decision on the request ...
My understanding is that 30 days after 9/9/2024 is 9/10/2024.
It is not clear to me how recent amendments to the Act (such as s24AB) change the 30 day period/deadline prescribed at s5(b) in the context of a request consultation process. Are you able to shed any light on this?
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Mr Buckley
The later statutory deadline is as a result of:
o the Department not receiving a valid FOI request until a later date.
The original request sought information rather than documents, and
also included terms that needed to be defined for the Department to
identify the documents it sought (reference to ‘DRO forums’); and
o the issuance of the s24AB notice of intention to refuse the request
paused the statutory clock until such time that the request was
refined or withdrawn, or you indicated that you did not wish to refine
the request. This did not occur until 27 September 2024.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: This email and any attachments may contain confidential or legally
privileged information (and neither are waived or lost if this email has
been sent to you by mistake). If you are not the intended recipient, you
must not use, disclose, copy or retain it. If you have received it in
error, please let me know by reply email and then delete this email from
your system and do not retain any copy. Recipients within DSS should seek
assistance from DSS Legal before disseminating this email to third parties
or using this advice for a different matter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2024 9:36 AM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: RE: Department of Social Services - LEX 51699 - Notice of
intention to refuse [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear FOI,
I submitted my request on the 9/9/2024. Section 5b of the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 says
(5) On receiving a request, the agency or Minister must:
...
(b) as soon as practicable but in any case not later than the end of the
period of 30 days after the day on which the request is received by or on
behalf of the agency or Minister, take all reasonable steps to enable the
applicant to be notified of a decision on the request ...
My understanding is that 30 days after 9/9/2024 is 9/10/2024.
It is not clear to me how recent amendments to the Act (such as s24AB)
change the 30 day period/deadline prescribed at s5(b) in the context of a
request consultation process. Are you able to shed any light on this?
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
-----Original Message-----
Dear Mr Buckley
We understand that you would like the Department to continue processing
the request with the scope:
all documents held, sent or received by SES officers since 1 January 2020
(including attachments) that contains information that relates to the
implementation and delivery of the Carer Allowance program.
This brings an end to the request consultation. The statutory deadline for
decision is now 21 October 2024.
Regards
FOI Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and
to Elders both past and present.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[1][FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[2]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #12034 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Good afternoon Mr Buckley
Please find attached the decision made in response to the Freedom of
Information request LEX 51699.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
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References
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1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Social Services' handling of my FOI request 'Carer Allowance costs, benefits, and outcomes'.
The reason given for the refusal of my request is based purely on a supposition that it might require a significant amount of work. I suggest that is not a good enough reason; the supposition should be tested to see how many documents there actually are before such a claim can be substantiated.
Further I am happy to look over a resulting list to narrow the scope of my request.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/c...
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the Department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the Department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
Department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the Department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
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Freedom of Information
Legal Services Branch
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Bob,
The Department of Social Services acknowledges your request for internal review. Your new matter reference number is LEX 51948.
An internal review decision is due to you on 18 November 2024.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Legal Officer
Information Law Section
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley <[FOI #12034 email]>
Sent: Friday, 18 October 2024 3:33 PM
To: FOI <[Department of Social Services request email]>
Subject: Internal review of Freedom of Information request - Carer Allowance costs, benefits, and outcomes
Dear Department of Social Services,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of Department of Social Services' handling of my FOI request 'Carer Allowance costs, benefits, and outcomes'.
The reason given for the refusal of my request is based purely on a supposition that it might require a significant amount of work. I suggest that is not a good enough reason; the supposition should be tested to see how many documents there actually are before such a claim can be substantiated.
Further I am happy to look over a resulting list to narrow the scope of my request.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/c...
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley
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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #12034 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
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