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
Thank you for your email, which has been forwarded to the Department’s FOI
Team for their consideration. A member of the FOI Team will respond to
your email in the next couple of days.
Kind regards
FOI Coordinator
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon,
Freedom of Information Request – FOI 24-25/087
Thank you for your email to the Department of Finance (Finance) requesting
access to the documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) as set out in the attached. Broadly, we have understood your request
to be for access to:
o All documents, records, data, and supporting material held by Finance
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
personal information.
o All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and Finance in
relation to DVA client personal information.
o Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how
Finance requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client
personal information.
o Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of
the DVA client personal.
Request for assistance/withdrawal of request
The Department of Finance supports the government’s ongoing priorities
through the Budget process and fosters leading practice through the public
sector resource management, governance and accountability frameworks.
Finance plays a lead role in advising the government on many of its
strategic priorities, including providing advice to the government on
optimal arrangements for the management and ownership of public assets.
Further information about our functions and responsibilities is available
on our website: [1]https://www.finance.gov.au/about-us/depa....
We have discussed your request with areas of Finance who may have
knowledge of the documents you seek, such as the Data Policy and Assurance
Branch and the Aged Care, Veterans and Care Workforce Branch. Our business
areas have advised that Finance would not hold any DVA client personal
information and or any data sharing agreements relating to DVA client
personal information, as Finance’s functions and responsibilities as a
central agency would not extend to the collection and use of such
identifiable personal information.
On this basis, we kindly ask that you reply to this email by 5pm Monday 23
December 2024 and either:
1. Withdraw your request as Finance does not hold the documents you seek,
or
2. Request a formal no documents decision letter.
Please note that if we do not receive a response from you, we are required
under the FOI Act to expend additional resources to process your request.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Please contact the FOI Team if you wish to discuss your request.
Kind regards,
FOI Team
FOI Officer | Legal and Assurance Branch
Business Enabling Services
Department of Finance
A: One Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
References
Visible links
1. https://www.finance.gov.au/about-us/depa...
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon,
The Department of Finance refers to our below correspondence seeking your
assistance with your FOI request.
We would be grateful if you would respond by 5pm 3 January 2025 advising
whether, based on the information we have provided:
o You would be willing to withdraw your request as Finance does not hold
the documents you seek, or
o You would like to request a formal no documents decision letter.
Kind regards,
FOI Team
FOI Officer | Legal and Assurance Branch
Business Enabling Services
Department of Finance
A: One Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
From: FOI Requests <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 20 December 2024 6:01 PM
To: [FOI #12599 email]
Cc: FOI Requests <[email address]>
Subject: FOI 24-25/087 - Acknowledgement and request for withdrawal of
request [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon,
Freedom of Information Request – FOI 24-25/087
Thank you for your email to the Department of Finance (Finance) requesting
access to the documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI
Act) as set out in the attached. Broadly, we have understood your request
to be for access to:
o All documents, records, data, and supporting material held by Finance
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
personal information.
o All records of data sharing arrangements between DVA and Finance in
relation to DVA client personal information.
o Any policies, procedures, guidelines, or frameworks that govern how
Finance requests, obtains, stores, handles, or uses DVA client
personal information.
o Documents that outline the intended uses or practical applications of
the DVA client personal.
Request for assistance/withdrawal of request
The Department of Finance supports the government’s ongoing priorities
through the Budget process and fosters leading practice through the public
sector resource management, governance and accountability frameworks.
Finance plays a lead role in advising the government on many of its
strategic priorities, including providing advice to the government on
optimal arrangements for the management and ownership of public assets.
Further information about our functions and responsibilities is available
on our website: [1]https://www.finance.gov.au/about-us/depa....
We have discussed your request with areas of Finance who may have
knowledge of the documents you seek, such as the Data Policy and Assurance
Branch and the Aged Care, Veterans and Care Workforce Branch. Our business
areas have advised that Finance would not hold any DVA client personal
information and or any data sharing agreements relating to DVA client
personal information, as Finance’s functions and responsibilities as a
central agency would not extend to the collection and use of such
identifiable personal information.
On this basis, we kindly ask that you reply to this email by 5pm Monday 23
December 2024 and either:
1. Withdraw your request as Finance does not hold the documents you seek,
or
2. Request a formal no documents decision letter.
Please note that if we do not receive a response from you, we are required
under the FOI Act to expend additional resources to process your request.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Please contact the FOI Team if you wish to discuss your request.
Kind regards,
FOI Team
FOI Officer | Legal and Assurance Branch
Business Enabling Services
Department of Finance
A: One Canberra Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
References
Visible links
1. https://www.finance.gov.au/about-us/depa...
Dear FOI Team,
Thank you for your correspondence dated 20 December 2024 and 24 December 2024 regarding my Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
I note your advice that the Department of Finance does not hold any documents related to my request concerning the sharing of personal information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). However, I would appreciate a formal decision letter confirming this under section 24A of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), which provides for instances where all reasonable steps have been taken to locate documents, but none exist.
Please proceed with issuing the formal decision letter as required under the FOI Act. If further information or clarification is needed, do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Nosey
Thank you for your email, which has been forwarded to the Department’s FOI
Team for their consideration. A member of the FOI Team will respond to
your email in the next couple of days.
Kind regards
FOI Coordinator
