OFFICIAL

Good morning, Andrew

I refer to your request for access to documents relating to COVID-19 WhatsApp channel operating costs and user count under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

I am writing to tell you that I have transferred your request to Department of Health because the subject matter of the document is more closely connected with the functions of the Department of Health.

The Department of Health will be in contact with you soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Suzie Sazdanovic
Manager, Privacy and FOI
PH: 02 6120 8595

OFFICIAL

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Smith <[FOI #8544 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 3 March 2022 10:59 AM
To: DTA FOI <[DTA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - COVID-19 WhatsApp channel operating costs and user count

Be careful with this message
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Digital Transformation Agency,

For the purposes of this request, the term "COVID-19 WhatsApp channel" refers to the WhatsApp account used by the Department of Health and managed by DTA whose details are published at the following URL: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps....

This request made under the FOI Act 1982 requests a document or documents which:
* show the average monthly or yearly IT cost required for operation of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel
* show the MAU figure of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel (number of users who used the channel every month, broken down by month and year) - scope of this request is for the time period January 2020 (or from the time the channel was created, whichever is later) to the time of this request.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Smith

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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #8544 email]

Is [DTA request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Digital Transformation Agency? 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...

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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must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other

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message from your computer system.

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Dear Mr Smith

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – NOTIFICATION OF RECEIPT

On 3 March 2022, the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) received your request for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) being:

- Show the average monthly or yearly IT cost required for operation of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel
- Show the MAU figure of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel (number of users who used the channel every month, broken down by month and year) - scope of this request is for the time period January 2020 (or from the time the channel was created, whichever is later) to the time of this request.

As a result of Machinery of Government changes, the subject matter of your request is more closely related to the functions of the Department of Health (the Department). As such, the Department has agreed to accept transfer of this request from the DTA under s16 of the FOI Act, and will be processing your request.

The statutory timeframe for processing your request is 30 calendar days within which a decision on access to the requested documents is to be notified.

The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be notified in writing.

Unless you advise otherwise, draft and duplicate documents and Commonwealth employee names and contact details below Senior Executive Service level and mobile telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.

You can contact the FOI Unit via email at [email address], should you have any questions.
Kind regards

FOI Officer
Freedom of Information Section

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
E: [email address] 
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the sender immediately.

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Smith <[FOI #8544 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 3 March 2022 10:59 AM
To: DTA FOI <[DTA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - COVID-19 WhatsApp channel operating costs and user count

Be careful with this message
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear Digital Transformation Agency,

For the purposes of this request, the term "COVID-19 WhatsApp channel" refers to the WhatsApp account used by the Department of Health and managed by DTA whose details are published at the following URL: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps....

This request made under the FOI Act 1982 requests a document or documents which:
* show the average monthly or yearly IT cost required for operation of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel
* show the MAU figure of the COVID-19 WhatsApp channel (number of users who used the channel every month, broken down by month and year) - scope of this request is for the time period January 2020 (or from the time the channel was created, whichever is later) to the time of this request.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Smith

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

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #8544 email]

Is [DTA request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Digital Transformation Agency? 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...

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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"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."

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Dear Mr Smith

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health.

Kind regards

François

Freedom of Information Section
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

[1]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Australian Government Department of Health

T: (02) 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address] 

Location: 260 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. 
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."

References

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