OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Smith

Thank you for your email dated 23 June 2024 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the department).

Scope of request:

You have sought access to:

… all documents received by the Government under Article 22(3) of the
Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans
Pacific Partnership.

Timeframe for receiving our decision:

We received your request on 20 June 2024 and the 30-day statutory period
for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. A
decision is currently due to you by Monday 22 July 2024. The period of 30
days may be extended in certain circumstances. 

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details:

It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all
government officials, and the names, gender pronouns, and contact details
of government officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or
equivalent. If you require the mobile numbers of all government officials,
or the names and contact details of non-SES officials, please let us know
at [1][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we
will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the
scope of your request.

Kind regards

FOI Section

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OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Smith

Thank you for your email dated 23 June 2024 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the department).

Scope of request:

You have sought access to: all documents received by the Government under
Article 22(3) of the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership.

Timeframe for receiving our decision:

We received your request on 23 June 2024 and the 30-day statutory period
for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. A
decision is currently due to you by 23 July 2024. The period of 30 days
may be extended in certain circumstances. 

Charges:

Please note that the department may issue charges for processing FOI
requests.  If applicable, we will advise you of any relevant charges when
we are in a position to estimate the resources required to process your
request.

Disclosure log:

Please note that, with some exceptions (such as personal information),
documents released under the FOI Act may later be published on the
department’s [1]disclosure log.

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details:

It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all
government officials, and the names, gender pronouns, and contact details
of government officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or
equivalent. If you require the mobile numbers of all government officials,
or the names and contact details of non-SES officials, please let us know
at [2][DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we
will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the
scope of your request.

Personal Information:

If we need to consult with other people or organisations regarding your
FOI request, we may need to disclose your personal information (e.g. your
name). When we consult it may be apparent that you have made a request,
even if we do not disclose your identity. Please let us know if you have
any concerns in this regard. Further information on the way the department
handles personal information is accessible via our [3]privacy policy.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to
contact us by reply email.

Kind regards

FOI Section

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OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Smith

I refer to your request made to the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade on 23 June 2024, for access under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 to:

… all documents received by the Government under Article 22(3) of the
Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans
Pacific Partnership.

The department is currently working with our Information Management
Division to retrieve the documents we have identified as being relevant to
your request. As this will take some time, we are seeking your agreement
to a 30 day extension of time, until 23 August 2024, under section 15AA of
the FOI Act.

We would appreciate your advice in this regard by COB Wednesday 17 July
2024. If we do not hear from you, we may apply to the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner for an extension of time under section
15AB of the FOI Act.

Kind regards

FOI Section

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Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
T +61 2 6178 5515

[9]dfat.gov.au | [10]X | [11]Facebook | [12]Instagram  | [13]LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging.

This email and any attachments may contain confidential information or
legal advice over which legal professional privilege can be claimed. Such
privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of
the advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.

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Our reference:           RQ24/03378

Agency reference:    LEX 11155

Agency name              Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
By Email:                        [DFAT request email]

Name                              Mr John Smith            
By Email:                       
[FOI #11556 email]

Extension of time under s 15AB

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Andriana DeIeso

Review Adviser

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
I am available Monday to Wednesday; Tuesday and Wednesday alternate
weeks.  
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.  

[3]Subscribe to Information Matters

Notice:

The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

Our reference:           RQ24/03540

Agency reference:    LEX11155

Agency name              Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
By Email:                        [DFAT request email]

Name                              Mr John Smith
By Email:                       
[FOI #11556 email]

Extension of time under s 15AC

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Andriana DeIeso

Review Adviser

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Adelaide | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
I am available Monday to Wednesday; Tuesday and Wednesday alternate
weeks.   
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.  

[3]Subscribe to Information Matters

Notice:

The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Smith

Please see attached a decision regarding your FOI request.

Kind regards

FOI Section

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