Documents Relating to the Sharing of DVA Client Information
Dear FOI Officer,
I am making this request for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth).
I seek access to any and all documents, records, data, and supporting material held by [Name of Agency] concerning the sharing of personal information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) over the last ten years. This includes any data transfers from or to the DVA, whether they were one-off exchanges or ongoing, systematic transfers of DVA client information, including personal, medical, financial, or service-related details concerning veterans or their dependents.
I am interested in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what DVA client information [Authority name] has received or accessed and for what purposes. Specifically, I request:
All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and [Authority name], including but not limited to memoranda of understanding, service-level agreements, emails, letters, meeting minutes, file transfer logs, internal reports, and instructions that outline what data was shared, when it was shared, and the format or system used for the transfer.
Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how [Authority name] requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client information. This includes documents that detail the criteria for approving access to such data, any consent or authorization processes, security controls, and retention or destruction policies.
Copies of any ethics committee approvals, privacy impact assessments, internal review board decisions, or other documents that reflect deliberations or authorizations for obtaining DVA client information. This includes records that show the agency considered the ethical, legal, or privacy implications of receiving or using DVA client data.
Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of the DVA client data, such as project proposals, business cases, internal strategy papers, or briefings that explain why [Authority name] sought access to this information, how it was intended to be integrated into the agency’s operations, and any expected outcomes or benefits.
A representative sample (in a suitably de-identified or redacted form) of the data or data fields received, so long as providing this sample does not breach any exemption under the FOI Act. The purpose is to understand the nature and granularity of the information shared, without disclosing identifiable personal details.
If the only data [Authority name] received pertains solely to data linked to the Centrelink Confirmation eServices (CCeS) arrangements as described at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/cen..., and there were no other forms of DVA data shared, then no CCeS-related data needs to be provided under this request.
I emphasize that I am not authorizing the transfer of this FOI request to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or any other agency. If [Authority name] holds the requested information, it should provide it directly. If there are parts of this request that [Name of Agency] does not understand or believes are not held, I invite you to contact me to clarify or refine the scope under section 24AB of the FOI Act, rather than initiating a transfer. However, I do not consent to the transfer of this request to another entity. The FOI Act places the onus on agencies to process requests for documents they hold, and I expect [Authority name] to meet its responsibilities in this regard.
I note that the statutory timeframe for processing FOI requests is 30 days from the date of receipt. I do not consent to any extension of time due to internal reduced activity periods, holiday stand-down periods, or other internal operational issues. If [Authority name] considers that it cannot meet the 30-day timeframe, it may seek an extension from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner as provided under section 15AB of the FOI Act. I request to be notified if such an application is made.
If you consider any part of this request too broad or complex, please contact me promptly to discuss refining its scope. I remain willing to consider adjustments that will assist efficient processing, provided that they occur within the statutory timeframe and do not undermine the substance of what I am seeking.
I believe that disclosure of these documents is in the public interest, as it promotes transparency and accountability in how government agencies access and use sensitive personal information about veterans. Should you consider charges applicable, I request that you exercise your discretion to reduce or waive them, given the importance of the matter and its alignment with the principles of open government and public accountability.
I look forward to receiving your acknowledgment and decision within the statutory timeframe. Please contact me at the details below if you require further clarification.
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
OFFICIAL
Good morning
Please be advised that we do not consider your email without further
information being provided to be a valid request under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) at this stage.
This is due to the right of access under the FOI Act to documents in which
you have provided enough information as is reasonably necessarily to
enable a reasonable officer of the agency to identify it. You have not
identified the name of the agency in the email and at this stage, we do
not have enough information to conduct searches of department records and
therefore do not consider your email a valid FOI request under section 15
of the Act.
If you provide us with further information, we will consider your request
at that point in time or you are welcome to submit a new FOI request with
further information to [1][email address]
Given the above, we will not treat your email as an FOI request and will
take no further action at this stage.
Regards
FOI Contact Officer | Legal Division
E: [2][email address]
___________________________________________
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO BOX 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: noseyrosey <[FOI #12594 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 14 December 2024 2:59 PM
To: Foi <[email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Documents Relating to the
Sharing of DVA Client Information
[You don't often get email from
[3][FOI #12594 email]. Learn why this is
important at [4]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear FOI Officer,
I am making this request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth).
I seek access to any and all documents, records, data, and supporting
material held by [Name of Agency] concerning the sharing of personal
information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
over the last ten years. This includes any data transfers from or to the
DVA, whether they were one-off exchanges or ongoing, systematic transfers
of DVA client information, including personal, medical, financial, or
service-related details concerning veterans or their dependents.
I am interested in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what DVA
client information [Authority name] has received or accessed and for what
purposes. Specifically, I request:
All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and [Authority name],
including but not limited to memoranda of understanding, service-level
agreements, emails, letters, meeting minutes, file transfer logs, internal
reports, and instructions that outline what data was shared, when it was
shared, and the format or system used for the transfer.
Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how
[Authority name] requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client
information. This includes documents that detail the criteria for
approving access to such data, any consent or authorization processes,
security controls, and retention or destruction policies.
Copies of any ethics committee approvals, privacy impact assessments,
internal review board decisions, or other documents that reflect
deliberations or authorizations for obtaining DVA client information. This
includes records that show the agency considered the ethical, legal, or
privacy implications of receiving or using DVA client data.
Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of the
DVA client data, such as project proposals, business cases, internal
strategy papers, or briefings that explain why [Authority name] sought
access to this information, how it was intended to be integrated into the
agency’s operations, and any expected outcomes or benefits.
A representative sample (in a suitably de-identified or redacted form) of
the data or data fields received, so long as providing this sample does
not breach any exemption under the FOI Act. The purpose is to understand
the nature and granularity of the information shared, without disclosing
identifiable personal details.
If the only data [Authority name] received pertains solely to data linked
to the Centrelink Confirmation eServices (CCeS) arrangements as described
at
[5]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...,
and there were no other forms of DVA data shared, then no CCeS-related
data needs to be provided under this request.
I emphasize that I am not authorizing the transfer of this FOI request to
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or any other agency. If [Authority
name] holds the requested information, it should provide it directly. If
there are parts of this request that [Name of Agency] does not understand
or believes are not held, I invite you to contact me to clarify or refine
the scope under section 24AB of the FOI Act, rather than initiating a
transfer. However, I do not consent to the transfer of this request to
another entity. The FOI Act places the onus on agencies to process
requests for documents they hold, and I expect [Authority name] to meet
its responsibilities in this regard.
I note that the statutory timeframe for processing FOI requests is 30 days
from the date of receipt. I do not consent to any extension of time due to
internal reduced activity periods, holiday stand-down periods, or other
internal operational issues. If [Authority name] considers that it cannot
meet the 30-day timeframe, it may seek an extension from the Office of the
Australian Information Commissioner as provided under section 15AB of the
FOI Act. I request to be notified if such an application is made.
If you consider any part of this request too broad or complex, please
contact me promptly to discuss refining its scope. I remain willing to
consider adjustments that will assist efficient processing, provided that
they occur within the statutory timeframe and do not undermine the
substance of what I am seeking.
I believe that disclosure of these documents is in the public interest, as
it promotes transparency and accountability in how government agencies
access and use sensitive personal information about veterans. Should you
consider charges applicable, I request that you exercise your discretion
to reduce or waive them, given the importance of the matter and its
alignment with the principles of open government and public
accountability.
I look forward to receiving your acknowledgment and decision within the
statutory timeframe. Please contact me at the details below if you require
further clarification.
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #12594 email]
Is [7][DAFF request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry? If so, please
contact us using this form:
[8]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
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:
[9]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
------ IMPORTANT - This email and any attachments have been issued by the
Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth). The material transmitted is for
the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential,
legally privileged, copyright or personal information. You should not
copy, use or disclose it without authorisation from the Commonwealth. It
is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses and defects
before opening or forwarding them. If you are not an intended recipient,
please contact the sender of this email at once by return email and then
delete both messages. Unintended recipients must not copy, use, disclose,
rely on or publish this email or attachments. The Commonwealth is not
liable for any loss or damage resulting from unauthorised use or
dissemination of, or any reliance on, this email or attachments. If you
have received this e-mail as part of a valid mailing list and no longer
want to receive a message such as this one, advise the sender by return
e-mail accordingly. This notice should not be deleted or altered ------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[FOI #12594 email]
4. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
5. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/cen...
6. mailto:[FOI #12594 email]
7. mailto:[DAFF request email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
9. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI Contact Officer,
Thank you for your response regarding my Freedom of Information (FOI) request. I appreciate your clarification regarding the need for further details to process my request under section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The original omission of the agency name was inadvertent. For clarity, I confirm that this FOI request is directed to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The request specifically seeks documents relating to the sharing of personal information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) over the past ten years, as detailed in my initial correspondence.
While I understand your concern regarding the identification of the relevant agency, I wish to highlight the obligations that the Act places on agencies when processing requests. Under section 15(3) of the FOI Act, agencies have a duty to assist applicants to ensure their request is valid and complies with section 15(2). This includes taking reasonable steps to clarify or refine the scope of a request rather than simply deeming it invalid. In this instance, the department should have provided further assistance to help me correct the minor oversight of not naming the agency, instead of determining that no further action would be taken.
Additionally, the FOI Act promotes a collaborative and constructive approach to handling requests. The intent of the Act is to ensure transparency and access to government-held information. It would have been more appropriate for the department to contact me directly, seeking clarification or offering guidance to refine the request so that it could proceed in a timely and cooperative manner. Rather than advising that no further action would occur, a more supportive response could have encouraged the resolution of this matter without unnecessary delays.
I trust that with the clarification provided above, the department will now proceed to process my request in accordance with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. If further information or refinement is still required, I invite you to contact me directly so that we can address any remaining issues promptly. I look forward to your acknowledgment and confirmation that my request is now being processed within the statutory timeframe.
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
Thank you for your email below. We understand you are seeking documents
relating to the sharing of personal information originating from the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs over the past ten years, specifically:
‘I seek access to any and all documents, records, data, and supporting
material held by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
(DAFF) concerning the sharing of personal information originating from the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) over the last ten years. This
includes any data transfers from or to the DVA, whether they were one-off
exchanges or ongoing, systematic transfers of DVA client information,
including personal, medical, financial, or service-related details
concerning veterans or their dependents.
I am interested in obtaining a comprehensive understanding of what DVA
client information, DAFF has received or accessed and for what purposes.
Specifically, I request:
All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and DAFF, including
but not limited to memoranda of understanding, service-level agreements,
emails, letters, meeting minutes, file transfer logs, internal reports,
and instructions that outline what data was shared, when it was shared,
and the format or system used for the transfer.
Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how DAFF
requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client information. This
includes documents that detail the criteria for approving access to such
data, any consent or authorization processes, security controls, and
retention or destruction policies.
Copies of any ethics committee approvals, privacy impact assessments,
internal review board decisions, or other documents that reflect
deliberations or authorizations for obtaining DVA client information. This
includes records that show the agency considered the ethical, legal, or
privacy implications of receiving or using DVA client data.
Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of the
DVA client data, such as project proposals, business cases, internal
strategy papers, or briefings that explain why DAFF sought access to this
information, how it was intended to be integrated into the agency’s
operations, and any expected outcomes or benefits.
A representative sample (in a suitably de-identified or redacted form) of
the data or data fields received, so long as providing this sample does
not breach any exemption under the FOI Act. The purpose is to understand
the nature and granularity of the information shared, without disclosing
identifiable personal details.
DAFF has conducted preliminary searches on your FOI request as above. The
department’s Enterprise Data Branch is not aware of any data sharing
agreements with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and personal
information from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is not included in
the department’s most recent Personal Information Holdings.
As such, given the large period of time, and that from preliminary
searches it appears that there may not be any documents in the scope of
your request, the department would appreciate if you could provide further
clarification around documents, you believe may be in the department’s
possession (for example, a particular program between the two agencies
and/or a more specific timeframe). This will help us to narrow our
searches with the relevant areas in the department and to assist you
further.
However, if the information above satisfies your request, please let us
know if you are happy to withdraw your request.
Kind regards
FOI Contact Officer | Legal Division
E: [1][email address]
___________________________________________
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO BOX 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
OFFICIAL
------ IMPORTANT - This email and any attachments have been issued by the
Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth). The material transmitted is for
the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential,
legally privileged, copyright or personal information. You should not
copy, use or disclose it without authorisation from the Commonwealth. It
is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses and defects
before opening or forwarding them. If you are not an intended recipient,
please contact the sender of this email at once by return email and then
delete both messages. Unintended recipients must not copy, use, disclose,
rely on or publish this email or attachments. The Commonwealth is not
liable for any loss or damage resulting from unauthorised use or
dissemination of, or any reliance on, this email or attachments. If you
have received this e-mail as part of a valid mailing list and no longer
want to receive a message such as this one, advise the sender by return
e-mail accordingly. This notice should not be deleted or altered ------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear FOI Contact Officer,
Thank you for your correspondence dated 23 December 2024 and for conducting preliminary searches regarding my Freedom of Information (FOI) request. I appreciate your efforts and would like to provide further clarification to assist the department in identifying relevant documents.
Clarification of Scope
My request pertains to any systematic or broad data-sharing arrangements involving personal information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) that may have occurred over the last ten years. Specifically:
Programs or Contexts
Please focus on any collaborative programs, projects, or initiatives between DAFF and DVA involving data sharing. For example, programs that support veterans in employment or agricultural initiatives.
Relevant Documents
Memoranda of understanding (MOUs), service-level agreements (SLAs), or other formal agreements relating to data sharing.
Policies, procedures, or guidelines outlining how DVA data is accessed, stored, or used by DAFF.
Privacy impact assessments, internal reviews, or documents discussing the legal or ethical considerations of handling DVA data.
Any reports or strategy documents explaining the purpose of DVA data use in DAFF operations.
Exclusions
I do not seek access to individual complaint files or other records that involve direct interactions with veterans unless they are part of a broader data-sharing arrangement or project.
Specific Timeframe
While my original request covers the last ten years, if this timeframe is too broad, I am willing to narrow it to the past five years (2019–2024).
Follow-Up Based on Preliminary Searches
While DAFF’s preliminary searches indicate there are no known data-sharing agreements with DVA, I request that your searches include:
Historical agreements or discontinued programs that may have involved data sharing with DVA.
Any correspondence or records from DAFF’s Enterprise Data Branch or other divisions discussing DVA-related data-sharing matters.
If no relevant documents exist, I would appreciate a formal decision stating this, as required under section 26 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth).
Next Steps
I trust this clarification will assist in identifying relevant documents or confirming that none exist. Please proceed with processing my request, or let me know if further refinements are necessary.
Thank you for your continued assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
This is an automated response to confirm receipt of your email.
Thank you for your email.
Please note, due to the Christmas / New Year shut down period (from 4pm
Tuesday 24 December 2024 to Thursday 2 January 2025) the Department of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry reduces its normal operations.
The FOI inbox will not be monitored during this time and we will reply to
your email on our return to the office.
Kind regards
FOI Contact Officer
Legal Division
E: [1][email address]
___________________________________________
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO BOX 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601
[2]www.agriculture.gov.au
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
------ IMPORTANT - This email and any attachments have been issued by the
Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth). The material transmitted is for
the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential,
legally privileged, copyright or personal information. You should not
copy, use or disclose it without authorisation from the Commonwealth. It
is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses and defects
before opening or forwarding them. If you are not an intended recipient,
please contact the sender of this email at once by return email and then
delete both messages. Unintended recipients must not copy, use, disclose,
rely on or publish this email or attachments. The Commonwealth is not
liable for any loss or damage resulting from unauthorised use or
dissemination of, or any reliance on, this email or attachments. If you
have received this e-mail as part of a valid mailing list and no longer
want to receive a message such as this one, advise the sender by return
e-mail accordingly. This notice should not be deleted or altered ------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.agriculture.gov.au/
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
Please see attached correspondence from the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry in relation to your FOI request – LEX 32836.
Kind regards
FOI Contact Officer | Legal Division
E: [1][email address]
___________________________________________
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
GPO BOX 858 CANBERRA ACT 2601
This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email.
OFFICIAL
------ IMPORTANT - This email and any attachments have been issued by the
Commonwealth of Australia (Commonwealth). The material transmitted is for
the use of the intended recipient only and may contain confidential,
legally privileged, copyright or personal information. You should not
copy, use or disclose it without authorisation from the Commonwealth. It
is your responsibility to check any attachments for viruses and defects
before opening or forwarding them. If you are not an intended recipient,
please contact the sender of this email at once by return email and then
delete both messages. Unintended recipients must not copy, use, disclose,
rely on or publish this email or attachments. The Commonwealth is not
liable for any loss or damage resulting from unauthorised use or
dissemination of, or any reliance on, this email or attachments. If you
have received this e-mail as part of a valid mailing list and no longer
want to receive a message such as this one, advise the sender by return
e-mail accordingly. This notice should not be deleted or altered ------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]