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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Your email has been received by the Department of Home Affairs Freedom of
Information (FOI) Section. Please note that we will only action and
respond to FOI requests and other matters relating to the Freedom of
Information Act 1982.

If your email is a valid FOI request, the Department will contact you
shortly to acknowledge your request. Please do not send duplicate emails
as this may cause delays in processing times.

For matters not relating to the Freedom of Information Act 1982, please
refer to the information below to assist in the resolution of your
enquiry.

General information regarding travelling to Australia

Information for visitors to Australia can be found [1]here.

Information regarding potential visa options can be found [2]here.

Request for a copy of your Visa Refusal or Visa Grant letter

If you have lost or misplaced correspondence regarding your Visa Refusal
or Visa Grant, or you wish to confirm the authenticity of your Visa
Refusal or Visa Grant, you should contact the office where you lodged your
visa application. 

Details of our offices located around the world can be found [3]here.

Checking your current Visa details and conditions

You can check your visa details and conditions on the Department’s Visa
Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) portal which can be accessed
[4]here.  If you do not have the necessary reference numbers to access the
VEVO portal, you should contact the office where you lodged your visa
application for further information.

Refund of Visa fees

If you are seeking a refund of fees associated with your Visa, you should
contact the office where you lodged your visa application.  Details of our
offices located around the world can be found [5]here.

Making a Visa application

Registered migration agents are authorised to provide immigration advice
or assistance, including advice regarding the lodgement of visa
applications. Further information on migration agents may be found
[6]here.  Please note that the Department is unable to assist you in this
regard.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties in lodging your visa
application through ImmiAccount, you should submit your concerns through
the ImmiAccount Technical Support Form, which is accessible [7]here.

Australian Citizenship

If you are seeking evidence of your Australian Citizenship, please refer
[8]here.

Information on how to apply for Australian citizenship, information for
Australian citizens and Australian Citizenship Day can be found [9]here.

The FOI Section does not process these requests.

Movement Records/Travel History

If you are seeking evidence of your own travel movements/history you
should complete Form 1359, which can be found [10]here.

The FOI Section does not process these requests.

Superannuation – Evidence of Immigration Status

Information about accessing your superannuation after leaving Australia
can be found [11]here.

The FOI Section does not process these requests.

Changes in your situation including updating your Passport Details

If your situation has changes or is about to change, you need to tell us
because your visa might be affected.

Information can be found [12]here about how to notify the Department of a
change in your situation.

The FOI Section does not process these requests.

Duty Free concessions

Information relating to duty free concessions can be found [13]here.

General Enquiries

If you have a question, which has not been answered above, and which is
about visa, citizenship, travel or trade, including bringing goods in and
out of Australia, please refer to our general enquiries web form [14]here.

Thank you

Information updated 22 May 2020

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

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

References

Visible links
1. http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visi
2. http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1
3. http://www.border.gov.au/about/contact/o...
4. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/al...
5. http://www.border.gov.au/about/contact/o...
6. https://www.mara.gov.au/
7. https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Immi...
8. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/al...
9. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizens...
10. https://www.abf.gov.au/form-listing/form...
11. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering...
12. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/change-i...
13. http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Duty-...
14. http://www.border.gov.au/about/contact/m...

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OFFICIAL

In reply please quote:
FOI Request: FA 20/06/00066
File Number: OBJ2020/25493

Dear Ms Davey

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

I refer to your correspondence received on 3 August 2020 seeking access to documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (link). As the Department focuses its efforts on managing the impact of COVID-19 on its critical services and employees, other non-critical services may not be delivered within expected timeframes. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this period.

Scope of request

You have requested access to the following:

A copy of the contract or contracts under which the Mantra Bell City Hotel operates as an alternative place of detention (APOD) for immigration detention purposes.

Your request was received by the Department on 3 August 2020 and has been allocated FOI request number FA 20/06/00066 . Please include your FOI request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information Section.

Timeframe for receiving your decision

The statutory timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the date upon which your application was received by the Department.

Your review rights in relation to your request are available on the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner here.

Duplicate documents

If the FOI decision-maker deems a document to be a duplicate, they will not assess those pages as part of your FOI request. This means that if a there is a decision to release the document to you, you will receive only one copy, even if multiple copies of that document exists.

Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss your request you may contact the FOI Section at [DIBP request email].

Yours sincerely,

FOI Officer
Freedom of Information
FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division
Strategy & Law Enforcement Group
Department of Home Affairs | Email: [DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

-----Original Message-----
From: Eleanor Davey <[FOI #6568 email]>
Sent: Monday, 3 August 2020 1:12 PM
To: FOI <[DIBP request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Contract for use of Mantra hotel as APOD

Dear Department of Home Affairs,

I am writing to request a copy of the contract or contracts under which the Mantra Bell City Hotel operates as an alternative place of detention (APOD) for immigration detention purposes. I believe that understanding of this arrangement, particularly given the public health concerns associated with immigration detention during the COVID-19 pandemic, is in the public interest, and I would like to make the request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Eleanor Davey

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #6568 email]

Is [DIBP request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Department of Home Affairs? If so, please contact us using this form:
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:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately. This email, including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

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

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OFFICIAL

Good afternoon Ms Davey

We refer to your request for access to documents received on 3 August 2020.

The Contract that the Department holds, under which the Mantra Bell City operates as an Alternative Place of Detention (APOD), is a contract with Serco. This document has previously been released under the FOI Act and is published on the Department’s FOI disclosure log here: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/foi/files...

The Department does not hold any commercial contract with the hotel provider, this is an arrangement between Serco and the provider. As such, the Department holds no further documents relevant to your FOI request.

In the circumstances, could you please confirm that this request may be closed as withdrawn.

With kind regards
Freedom of Information Section
FOI and Records Management Branch
Data Division
Strategy and Law Enforcement Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately. This email, including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

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

OFFICIAL

Good morning Ms Davey

I note that you are now seeking to access different documents to those your originally requested. As such, we have closed your original request, and will register a new request, received on 17 August, for the documents you are now seeking to access. You will be provided with a formal acknowledgement and a new FA reference shortly.

With kind regards
Freedom of Information Section
FOI and Records Management Branch
Data Division
Strategy and Law Enforcement Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [DIBP request email]

-----Original Message-----
From: Eleanor Davey <[FOI #6568 email]>
Sent: Monday, 17 August 2020 9:32 AM
To: FOI <[DIBP request email]>
Subject: Re: Freedom of Information request FA 20/08/00066 - Contract for use of Mantra hotel as APOD [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Dear FOI,

Thank you for your message. In light of that context, I would like to amend my request to cover the declaration or designation of the Mantra Bell City Hotel as an APOD and any documents flowing from or associated with that declaration.

Many thanks for your assistance.

Yours sincerely,

Eleanor Davey

-----Original Message-----

OFFICIAL

Good afternoon Ms Davey

We refer to your request for access to documents received on 3 August 2020.

The Contract that the Department holds, under which the Mantra Bell City operates as an Alternative Place of Detention (APOD), is a contract with Serco. This document has previously been released under the FOI Act and is published on the Department’s FOI disclosure log here: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/foi/files...

The Department does not hold any commercial contract with the hotel provider, this is an arrangement between Serco and the provider. As such, the Department holds no further documents relevant to your FOI request.

In the circumstances, could you please confirm that this request may be closed as withdrawn.

With kind regards
Freedom of Information Section
FOI and Records Management Branch
Data Division
Strategy and Law Enforcement Group
Department of Home Affairs
E: [DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately. This email, including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #6568 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...

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICIAL

hide quoted sections

Alison SMITH would like to recall the message, "Freedom of Information request FA 20/08/00066 - Contract for use of Mantra hotel as APOD [SEC=OFFICIAL]".

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately. This email, including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.

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

OFFICIAL

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:         FA 20/08/01045

File Number:          OBJ2020/27421 

Dear Ms Davey,

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

I refer to your correspondence received on 17 August 2020 seeking access
to documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

Scope of request

You have requested access to the following:

The declaration or designation of the Mantra Bell City Hotel as an APOD
and any documents flowing from or associated with that declaration.

Your request was received by the Department on 17 August 2020 and has been
allocated FOI request number FA 20/08/01045 . Please include your FOI
request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information
Section.

Timeframe for receiving your decision

The statutory timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the date
upon which your application was received by the Department.

Your review rights in relation to your request are available on the
website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner [1]here.

Duplicate documents

If the FOI decision-maker deems a document to be a duplicate, they will
not assess those pages as part of your FOI request. This means that if a
there is a decision to release the document to you, you will receive only
one copy, even if multiple copies of that document exists.

Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss your request you may contact the FOI Section at
[DIBP request email].

Yours sincerely,

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information

FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division

Strategy & Law Enforcement Group

Department of Home Affairs | Email: [DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

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

References

Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...

OFFICIAL

Good morning Ms Davey,

I refer to your request received on 17 August 2020 for access to documents
under the FOI Act.

The current due date for your request is 16 September 2020. 

Due to the number of requests currently being processed by our office, we
will not be able to finalise your request by the original due date.

The Department seeks your agreement under section 15AA of the FOI Act to
extend the timeframe for the processing of your request by 30 days.  This
would extend the due date for your request to 16 October 2020.

It would assist the Department in managing its FOI caseload if you could
provide a response to this request by close of business, Friday 11
September 2020.

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI section on the details below.

Yours sincerely,

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information

FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division

Corporate and Enabling Group

Department of Home Affairs | Email: [1][DIBP request email]

From: FOI
Sent: Monday, 24 August 2020 1:52 PM
To: '[FOI #6568 email]'
<[FOI #6568 email]>
Subject: HPRM: Acknowledgement – FOI request FA 20/08/01045 [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

In reply please quote:

FOI Request:         FA 20/08/01045

File Number:          OBJ2020/27421 

Dear Ms Davey,

Acknowledgement of Freedom of Information Access request

I refer to your correspondence received on 17 August 2020 seeking access
to documents held by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

Scope of request

You have requested access to the following:

The declaration or designation of the Mantra Bell City Hotel as an APOD
and any documents flowing from or associated with that declaration.

Your request was received by the Department on 17 August 2020 and has been
allocated FOI request number FA 20/08/01045 . Please include your FOI
request number in all correspondence with the Freedom of Information
Section.

Timeframe for receiving your decision

The statutory timeframe for processing a request is 30 days from the date
upon which your application was received by the Department.

Your review rights in relation to your request are available on the
website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner [2]here.

Duplicate documents

If the FOI decision-maker deems a document to be a duplicate, they will
not assess those pages as part of your FOI request. This means that if a
there is a decision to release the document to you, you will receive only
one copy, even if multiple copies of that document exists.

Contacting the FOI Section

Should you wish to discuss your request you may contact the FOI Section at
[3][DIBP request email].

Yours sincerely,

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information

FOI and Records Management Branch | Data Division

Strategy & Law Enforcement Group

Department of Home Affairs | Email: [4][DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

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

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[DIBP request email]
2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[DIBP request email]
4. mailto:[DIBP request email]

OFFICIAL

Dear Ms Davey

FOI request FA 20/08/01045

I refer to your FOI request received on 17 August 2020, seeking access to
the following:

The declaration or designation of the Mantra Bell City Hotel as an APOD
and any documents flowing from or associated with that declaration.

The Department has made a decision on this request. Please find attached
the decision record and document released under the FOI Act.

This request has now been closed.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer

FOI Section

FOI and Records Management Branch

Data Division

Strategy & Law Enforcement Group

Email: [1][DIBP request email]

Department of Home Affairs - [2]www.homeaffairs.gov.au

OFFICIAL

Important Notice: The content of this email is intended only for use by
the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received
this email by mistake, please advise the sender and delete the message and
attachments immediately.  This email, including attachments, may contain
confidential, sensitive, legally privileged and/or copyright information.
 

Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of this information
by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. 
The Department of Home Affairs and ABF respect your privacy and have
obligations under the Privacy Act 1988.  

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

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[DIBP request email]
2. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/