Historical underpayments
Dear Department of Social Services,
Under the Freedom of Information Act, may I request please any briefings to/from the Chief Operating Officer regarding the historical underpayments of Research Administration Officers and Public Affairs Officers within the Department.
Yours faithfully,
JMD
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
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Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
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References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Good afternoon Ms McDonough,
Freedom of Information Request No. FOI 2122-029
I refer to your request for access to documents in the possession of the
Department of Social Services (the department), made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for the following:
“…any briefings to/from the Chief Operating Officer regarding the
historical underpayments of Research Administration Officers and Public
Affairs Officers within the Department.”
If you disagree with this interpretation of your request, please let us
know in writing as soon as possible.
Your request was received by the department on 28 September 2021. The
30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced the day
after your request was received, therefore a decision is due to you by 28
October 2021.
The processing period of 30 days may be extended if the department is
required to consult third parties, impose a charge, or for other reasons
such as those set out in sections [1]15AA, [2]15AB or [3]15AC of the FOI
Act. We will advise you if this happens.
In the event that charges are to be issued to you, you will be notified as
soon as possible, before any requested documents are processed or a final
charge imposed.
Removal of non-SES staff names and contact details under section 22
Where documents falling within the scope of your FOI request include the
names or contact details of non-Senior Executive Service (non-SES) staff,
the Department seeks to remove that information in accordance with
[4]section 22 of the FOI Act.
Please respond to confirm that the names and contact details of non-SES
staff are not relevant to your request.
FOI Disclosure Log
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on the department’s FOI Disclosure Log, subject to
certain exceptions. For example, personal information will not be
published where this would be unreasonable.
The department’s FOI Disclosure Log can be viewed here:
[5]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm....
We will contact you using the email address you have provided. Please
advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at
[6][email address].
Yours sincerely,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [7][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/...
2. http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/...
3. http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/...
4. http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/...
5. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Ms McDonough,
We refer to your request, FOI 2122-029, regarding historical
underpayments.
The scope of your request is understood to be as follows:
“… any briefings to/from the Chief Operating Officer regarding the
historical underpayments of Research Administration Officers and Public
Affairs Officers within the Department.”
Clarification of scope
Please advise by return email whether:
- You wish for any referenced attachments or other materials that
may accompany a brief to be included; or
- You are not seeking any additional material and are seeking a
copy of briefs (if any) only.
Your response by close of business Thursday 21 October 2021 would be
appreciated, to allow us to continue to process your request.
Yours sincerely,
DSS FOI team
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Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
Could you please include any references attachments that accompany the briefings.
Yours sincerely,
JMD
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Ms McDonough,
I refer to your FOI request 2122-029.
Thank you for clarifying your scope to include attachments to briefings.
Further to our last correspondence, the Department is currently in the
stages of finalising its decision in relation to this matter.
A decision on your request is currently due on Thursday 28 October 2021.
Request for extension of time
A number of the Department’s business areas have experienced a diversion
of their resources due to the current pandemic, which has resulted in a
small delay in progressing your matter to finalisation.
In order for the decision for your matter to be finalised and final
clearances obtained from internal stakeholders, we are seeking your
agreement to a 10 day extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI Act.
This would make the new decision date Monday 8 November 2021.
Your response sought
To ensure that the Department can finalise your matter within the
statutory timeframe, we would be grateful for your response by 9am
Wednesday 27 October 2021.
Many thanks,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Thank you for your email.
You have contacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) team of the Department
of Social Services (the department).
If your email relates to a Freedom of Information application made under
the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), the department
will respond to you as soon as practicable.
Further information about FOI is available on our website at:
[1]https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
This email address is for applications under the FOI Act only. The
department is unable to respond to non-FOI related enquiries sent to this
email address. Any correspondence received that is not an information
access request will not be responded to or forwarded. Should you have a
query unrelated to FOI, please complete our [2]online feedback, enquiry or
compliment form on our website or direct your email to
[3][email address]. Alternatively you can contact the department by
calling 1800 634 035.
With regards
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [4][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-departm...
2. https://www.dss.gov.au/contact/feedback-...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear Ms McDonough,
Thank you for responding so promptly and for your agreement to a 5 day
extension of time under s 15AA.
Please note that a decision on your request is now due on Tuesday 2
November 2021.
Many thanks,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ms McDonough,
The Department has finalised its decision in relation to FOI 2122-029, and
the said decision letter is attached.
Please also find attached:
- Attachment A: Review rights
- Attachment B: Relevant provisions from the FOI Act
- Attachment C: Document bundle
Yours sincerely,
DSS FOI Team
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freedom of Information
Cabinet and FOI
Government and Executive Services
Department of Social Services
E: [1][Department of Social Services request email]
The Department of Social Services acknowledges the traditional owners of
country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land,
water and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past
and present.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]