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.

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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 Sheehy

I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 8 July 2024, in which you requested access under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) to:

‘..copies of the Department of Social Services Question Time Briefs
(however described) prepared for the Minister for Social Services for 4
July 2024 and a copy of the Department’s current index of Question Time
Briefs.

If a document contains tracked changes or comments, it is requested that
the document be provided in a form where all tracked changes and comments
are visible.’

The decision for this request is currently due on 7 August 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:

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 Friday 12 July 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].

Kind regards

DSS FOI Team

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Freedom of Information | Information Law

Legal Services Group

Department of Social Services
E: [2][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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show quoted sections

Good afternoon Mr Sheehy

The Department has decided to undertake third party consultation in
respect of FOI request LEX 51051 and has extended the statutory timeframe
by 30 days to 20 September 2024 allow it to do so. We will provide you
with a decision by or on this date.

Should you have any queries or concerns please do not hesitate to reach
out to us at [1][email address].

Regards,

DSS FOI Team

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

Freedom of Information | Information Law

Legal Services Group

Department of Social Services
E: [2][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:[email address]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]

Good afternoon Mr Sheehy

Please find attached the decision made in response to the Freedom of
Information request LEX 51051.

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]