OFFICIAL
FOI Reference: LEX 10263

Dear Pep Jan

Thank you for your email dated Monday 26 February 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:

I am writing to request information regarding grants provided through the Direct Aid Program (DAP) by the Embassy of Australia in Serbia over the past five years, specifically from 2020 to 2024. I am interested in obtaining the following information - a list of all grants provided through the DAP in Serbia during the specified time period, including the name of the recipient organization, name of the project, the amount of the grant and the length of implementation. I would also like to receive the number of applications received by the Embassy of Australia in Serbia through the Direct Aid Program (DAP).

If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large for processing, the department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the request.

Timeframe for receiving our decision

We received your request on Monday 26 February 2024, and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances.

Your request is therefore due for a response by: Wednesday 27 March 2024.

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 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 [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. You can access on the department's website a copy of the privacy policy.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us by return e-mail at: [DFAT request email].

Kind Regards

DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

(c) Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)

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.

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OFFICIAL

FOI Request: LEX 10263

Dear Pep Jan

We are writing in regards to your FOI request.

Please be advised that the department continues to process your request
and is currently undertaking searches and assessments across multiple line
areas to identify document holdings.

We write to seek your agreement to an extension of 14-days to process your
FOI request in accordance with section 15AA of the FOI Act.

The additional time will enable the department to finalise its processes
and provide you with an outcome. This includes the thorough assessment of
documents and internal consultations within the department.

This will bring your date of decision to: Wednesday 10 April 2024.

Please be assured that we will continue to process your request as quickly
as possible and will provide an outcome to you as soon as it is available.

If you are minded to agree, we would be grateful if you could please
confirm your agreement by: COB Friday 21 March 2024.

If we do not hear from you, we may apply to the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner for an extension to the statutory timeframe.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact
[1][DFAT request email].

Kind Regards,

Ross

_______________________________
FOI Officer | Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
E: [2][email address]

[3]dfat.gov.au | [4]Twitter | [5]Facebook | [6]Instagram  | [7]LinkedIn

© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)

[8]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.

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OFFICIAL
Dear Pep Jan,

RE: LEX 10263

Please find attached correspondence relating to the outcome of your FOI request, along with the document you have been granted access to.

Kind regards,

DFAT FOI Team
_______________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

dfat.gov.au | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

© Kim Hill, Among Women (2011)
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.

show quoted sections