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

Legal Services Branch

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]

Dear Jane,

I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (the Department) on 29 September 2022, in which you requested
access under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act)
to:

“copies of any briefings to/from the Secretary and Deputy Secretary
regarding the historical incorrect payments to Research Administration
Officers”

Removal of personal information from the scope of your request

If the documents are released pursuant to the FOI Act we seek your
agreement to the removal of the private email addresses, signatures and
mobile numbers of all DSS staff, and the removal of the names of
non-Senior Executive Service (non-SES) staff, which may be contained
within the documents identified in relation to your request.

Please respond to this email by Friday, 7 October 2022 to advise whether
you agree that this information may be removed.

Decision due

The statutory period for processing your request pursuant to the FOI Act
is 30 days commencing from the day after your request was received. If the
due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday, in accordance
with subsection 36(2) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), the
timeframe will expire on the first day following which is none of those
days.

In accordance with paragraph 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, the decision on your
request is due on 31 October 2022.

When the processing period may be extended or suspended

The current due date may be extended by:

·         Up to 30 days if agreed by you (section 15AA of the FOI Act);

·         30 days if your request is considered voluminous or complex
(section 15AB of the FOI Act); and

·         30 days if the Department is required to undertake a third party
consultation (sections 26A, 27 or 27A of the FOI Act).

If any of these extensions apply, the Department will notify you. 

Additionally, there are occasions where the processing period of your FOI
application may be suspended. This may take place if:

•             A practical refusal consultation process is required
(section 24AB of the FOI Act); or

•             If a charges notice is issued for the processing of your FOI
application (section 29 of the FOI Act).

If the Department decides that either of these apply to your request, we
will notify you.

The Department will correspond with you by email in relation to your FOI
request. 

Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [Department of Social Services request email].

Yours sincerely,

Glenn

Freedom of Information

Legal Services

Department of Social Services
Email: [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.

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]

Dear Jane,

FOI LEX 45661 – Decision

Please find attached the decision in response to your Freedom of
Information request received by the Department of Social Services on 29
September 2022.

No documents were located in relation to your request.

For your reference, we also attach a document providing information in
relation to your review rights.

Kind Regards,

DSS FOI Team

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Freedom of Information section

Legal Services Branch

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. 

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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]