Industry Representatives and the TPP Negotiations
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
I would like to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act for a list of industry representatives (eg. business representatives, industry associations or lobbyists) working on the sidelines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
This request is submitted based on advice from your department in relation to an earlier request which was refused (Ref: FOI15/10423) and has been re-worded accordingly.
Thank you in advance.
Yours faithfully,
Evelyn Doyle
Our Ref: 1506 - F1195
Dear Ms Doyle
Re: Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
Thank you for your email dated 12 June 2015 in which you seek access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to:
“a list of industry representatives (eg. business representatives, industry associations or lobbyists) working on the sidelines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.”
Searches are now being undertaken in relevant areas of the Department for documents relevant to your request. I will contact you again once the searches have been completed.
Timeframe for receiving your decision:
We received your request on 12 June 2015 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 13 July 2015. The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances. We will advise you if there is any extension of time.
Scope of request:
If it emerges that the scope of your request is unclear or is too large for processing, the Department will contact you to discuss re-scoping the request.
Exclusion of officers’ names and contact details:
It is the Department’s policy to withhold the names and contact details of officers not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) within the Department and other agencies contained within documents that fall within scope of the request. If you require the names and contact details of non-SES officers please let us know at [DFAT request email] so the decision-maker may consider; otherwise we will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the scope of your request.
Charges:
Please note that the Department issues charges for processing FOI requests. We will advise you of these charges when we are in a position to estimate the resources required to process your request.
Timing of release:
As the subject matter of your request will require DFAT to upload any documents released to you to the Department’s FOI Disclosure Log, I take this opportunity to advise you that the Department’s policy is to upload released documents within one business day of your receipt of the documents.
Personal Information:
Your personal information has been collected by the Department as a result of your correspondence, and will be used in order to process your FOI request. Your personal information is protected by law, including the Privacy Act 1988. The Department’s privacy policy is available at dfat.gov.au/privacy.html and contains information about access to or correction of your personal information, and how you may complain about a breach of your privacy.
Please note that if we need to consult with other people regarding release of the documents you have requested, we may need to disclose your personal information. When we consult with other people about a request you have made, it may be apparent to those people that you have made a request, even if we do not disclose your identity. If you have concerns about the Department consulting with other people about your request, please let us know your concerns.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me on (02) 6261 1701, or by return email.
Please note a copy of this email has been sent to Ms Shaanti Sekhon, A/g Director, Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section, for her information.
Yours sincerely
FOI Team
Dear Ms Doyle,
Thank you for discussing a change in scope with Shaanti Sekhon last week.
Could you please confirm by return email that the below is the agreed scope change;
“A list of the names of businesses or industry associations that had representatives in the margins of Ministerial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiating sessions since September 2013, when Mr Robb was appointed to the Trade Portfolio."
Your original request reference number 1505-F1195 is now considered to have been withdrawn, and the documents will be compiled for the new request. I will contact you once this process is complete.
Timeframe for receiving your decision:
We received your re scoped request on 19 June 2015 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 20 July 2015. The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances. We will advise you if there is any extension of time.
Lindy Judge
Assistant Director– FOI and Privacy Law Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
____________________________________________________________________
Corporate Legal Branch E | [email address]
Legal Division T | +61 2 6261 1701
Dear Ms Judge
Thank you for the assistance DFAT is providing with this request.
I agree to the revised scope as you have outlined in your previous correspondence.
Yours sincerely,
Evelyn Doyle
Dear Ms Doyle,
Please find attached a charges notification for your below FOI request.
Regards,
DFAT FOI Team
Dear FOI,
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding charges. As a low income earner on casual hours, I would like to seek a waiver to the charges on financial grounds.
I am happy to provide my most recent payslip in proof and/or if you require I can phone you with more details.
In addition, I also believe this information is in the public interest. The TPP will have a potential impact on everyone, especially in light of the intention to include ISDS clauses, and as such I contend the public have a right to know which companies and industry groups might be influencing the outcome.
Yours sincerely,
Evelyn Doyle
Dear Ms Doyle,
Thank you for your email, I will pass this on to the decision maker for consideration.
Regards,
Lindy Judge
Assistant Director– FOI and Privacy Law Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
____________________________________________________________________
Corporate Legal Branch E | [email address]
Legal Division T | +61 2 6261 1701
Dear Ms Doyle,
Thank you for your request for a waiver of fees for your current FOI request. As advised I forwarded your request to the delegate for consideration.
The delegate would like to accept your offer of the provision of hardship information in accordance with OAIC guidance 4.53.
The delegate for charges consideration can be contacted on 02 6261 3461 to discuss. Please quote the reference 1506 - F1195
Regards,
Lindy Judge
Assistant Director– FOI and Privacy Law Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
____________________________________________________________________
Corporate Legal Branch E | [email address]
Legal Division T | +61 2 6261 1701
Dear Ms Doyle,
Please find attached the decision related to your current FOI request for:
"A list of the names of businesses or industry associations that had representatives in the
margins of Ministerial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiating sessions since
September 2013, when Mr Robb was appointed to the Trade Portfolio."
Also please find attached the list of Industry Representatives and the TPP Negotiations.
Regards,
Lindy Judge
Assistant Director– FOI and Privacy Law Section
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
____________________________________________________________________
Corporate Legal Branch E | [email address]
Legal Division T | +61 2 6261 1701
Dear Ms Judge and FOI officers
Thank you for the assistance the department gave in progressing my FOI request and for waiving fees.
Yours sincerely,
Evelyn Doyle
Evelyn Doyle left an annotation ()
I have made contact with the department by phone and am now waiting on a decision regarding waiving fees.