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
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Dear FOI Officer,
I am writing regarding my Freedom of Information (FOI) request, submitted on 14 December 2024, concerning the sharing of personal information originating from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). As the statutory 30-day timeframe for providing a decision under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) expired on 13 January 2025, and no decision has been received, this matter is now deemed refused under section 15AC of the Act.
I have reported this matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), and the submission reference number is WEB-MR-25-00845. The referral requests that the OAIC direct the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) to process and finalize my request promptly, as well as to address the procedural failings that have delayed my access to the requested documents.
I trust the AER will cooperate fully with the OAIC to resolve this matter and ensure compliance with its statutory obligations under the FOI Act. Should you have any further questions or require clarification, please feel free to contact me via email at [Your Email Address].
Yours sincerely,
Nosey Rosey
Thank you for your email. We appreciate you taking the time to write to
us.
We will respond to you where we have information that may help you, or you
have asked a question about your rights or obligations under the energy
laws and rules. If this is not the case, we will record the information
you have provided, but you may not receive a response.
Our website provides information about the work of the AER and includes
information about your rights as a consumer. You can also use the Energy
Made Easy website to compare electricity and gas plans.
---
IMPORTANT: This email from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), and any
attachments to it, may contain information that is confidential and may
also be the subject of legal, professional or other privilege. If you are
not the intended recipient, you must not review, copy, disseminate,
disclose to others or take action in reliance on, any material contained
within this email. If you have received this email in error, please let
the AER know by reply email to the sender informing them of the mistake
and delete all copies from your computer system. For the purposes of the
Spam Act 2003, this email is authorised by the AER www.aer.gov.au