Good morning Mr Fairless

Thank you for your two requests for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have submitted a request to the Department of Health and a request to the Minister for Health in the following terms:

Media reporting says that the Minister rejected the recent rate increase applications from all health funds for 2022.

This request is for the documents submitted to the minister from each health fund for approval that were rejected by the minister.

I am writing to acknowledge both of your requests, noting that the Department provides administrative assistance to the Minister's Office for FOI requests received by that office.

The Department notes that the documents that would be captured by your request relate to the provisions of the Private Health Insurance Act 2007. The Private Health Insurance Act is listed in schedule 3 of the FOI Act and as such, any documents that may exist in relation to your request are subject to the secrecy provisions of section 38 of the FOI Act and are likely to be assessed as being exempt documents.

In the circumstances, could you please advise if you wish to continue with these FOI requests, or whether you would be willing to withdraw them?

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.

With kind regards

Alison
Freedom of Information Unit

Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
P: 02 6289 1666 E: [Minister for Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

Please note that this email and attachments may contain confidential or legally privileged information. Please consult with Legal Division before disclosing any part of this email, or attachment, outside the Department. If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the sender immediately

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."

Good morning Mr Fairless

Thank you for your two requests for access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

You have submitted a request to the Department of Health and a request to the Minister for Health in the following terms:

Media reporting says that the Minister rejected the recent rate increase applications from all health funds for 2022.

This request is for the documents submitted to the minister from each health fund for approval that were rejected by the minister.

I am writing to acknowledge both of your requests, noting that the Department provides administrative assistance to the Minister's Office for FOI requests received by that office.

The Department notes that the documents that would be captured by your request relate to the provisions of the Private Health Insurance Act 2007. The Private Health Insurance Act is listed in schedule 3 of the FOI Act and as such, any documents that may exist in relation to your request are subject to the secrecy provisions of section 38 of the FOI Act and are likely to be assessed as being exempt documents.

In the circumstances, could you please advise if you wish to continue with these FOI requests, or whether you would be willing to withdraw them?

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.

With kind regards

Alison
Freedom of Information Unit

Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
P: 02 6289 1666 E: [Minister for Health request email]
GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

Please note that this email and attachments may contain confidential or legally privileged information. Please consult with Legal Division before disclosing any part of this email, or attachment, outside the Department. If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the sender immediately

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately and delete all copies of this transmission."

Dear Mr Fairless,

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health.

On 22 December 2021, the department wrote to you advising that your
request addressed to the Minister for Health (our reference FOI-3469) has
been transferred to the Department under section 16 of the FOI Act as any
documents relevant to that request would be in the possession of the
Department.

As such, requests 3463 and 3469 were processed simultaneously, the
attached decision relates to both requests.

Kind regards,

FOI Case Officer

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Australian Government Department of Health

T: 02 6289 1666  | E: [1][Minister for Health request email] 

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. 
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Minister for Health request email]

Dear Mr Fairless,

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health.

On 22 December 2021, the department wrote to you advising that your
request addressed to the Minister for Health (our reference FOI-3469) has
been transferred to the Department under section 16 of the FOI Act as any
documents relevant to that request would be in the possession of the
Department.

As such, requests 3463 and 3469 were processed simultaneously, the
attached decision relates to both requests.

Kind regards,

FOI Case Officer

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Australian Government Department of Health

T: 02 6289 1666  | E: [1][Minister for Health request email] 

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. 
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Minister for Health request email]