Information about "mild autism" in 2nd half of 2023
Dear Department of Social Services,
In 2023, the phrase "mild autism" came up in several media items published by the NDIS Minister. See:
* https://ministers.dss.gov.au/transcripts...
* https://ministers.dss.gov.au/transcripts...
* https://ministers.dss.gov.au/transcripts...
Please provide, in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information ACT, all information and communication from the 2nd half of 2023 that mention "mild autism" and was sent from DSS officials or representatives to a media organisation/representative.
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley
Thank you for your email. The Department of Social Services is currently
on Christmas shutdown until 2 January 2024. The Department will respond to
your email upon our return.
Kind regards
DSS FOI Team
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 Mr Buckley
I refer to your correspondence received by the Department of Social
Services (Department) on 27 December 2024, in which you requested access
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to:
‘All information and communication from the 2nd half of 2023 that mention
"mild autism" and was sent from DSS officials or representatives to a
media organisation/representative.’
The decision for this request is currently due on 28 January 2025. This
timeframe may be extended, for example, where the Department decides to
consult with third parties. We will inform you if this occurs.
Removal of certain information from the scope of your request
The Department is seeking your agreement to remove the following
information from the scope of your request where it is not available from
public sources:
o group email addresses used for internal departmental purposes;
o all personal information of members of the public;
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES)
government staff; and
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the
exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
If you agree to the above amendment the names of the Department’s SES
staff will be released where they are present in the documents and do not
attract an exemption.
Could you please respond to this email by Monday 13 January 2025 to
confirm your agreement to this change.
Should you have any queries about this matter, please do not hesitate to
contact the FOI team via email at [1][Department of Social Services request email].
Regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
Department of Social Services
E: [2][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]
2. mailto:[Department of Social Services request email]
Dear FOI,
In response to your request to remove certain information from the response to be provided. Following is about the specific items mentioned in your request.
o group email addresses used for internal departmental purposes;
I see no justification for this. Both the sender and the addressee of the emails are likely to be valuable information in my work. I am unaware of any credible justification for DSS hiding group email addresses for internal groups.
If you mean the email addresses of individual non-SES staff in a group, I agree to replacing each such address with the person's job title in the response.
o all personal information of members of the public;
I agree to this ... provided it is personal information being removed. Information about a person's public role should not be removed.
o all personal information of non-Senior Executive Service (SES) government staff; and
Again, personal information can be removed. Information about a person's role is likely to remain relevant to my request.
o all personal information of SES level government staff with the exception of the names of the Department’s SES staff.
Yet again, personal information can be removed. Information about a person's role is likely to remain relevant to my request.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley
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
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Mr Buckley
Please find attached correspondence in relation to your FOI request.
Regards
DSS FOI team
Freedom of Information | Information Law
Legal Services Group
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]