Minutes of AHPPC Meeting 03 April 2020
Dear Department of Health,
I refer to the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) coronavirus (COVID-19) statement on April 3, 2020:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/australia...
“The AHPPC has been asked to consider the issue of COVID-19 in children and management of Early Childhood and Learning Centres (ECLC) in relation to the community transmission of COVID‑19.”
“Emerging epidemiologic reports on COVID-19 in children show that, while they are less likely than adults to be infected and have severe illness, they are still vulnerable to the pandemic coronavirus.The Committee’s advice is that pre‑emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.”
I wish to request the following documents, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982:
1. The minutes of the meeting to produce 03 April, 2020 statement
2. Any documentation relied upon, or otherwise referenced in this meeting, to support the Committee's position and statement
An agency or minister may impose a charge for providing access to a document under s 29 of the FOI Act. I request that the Department waive any charges applicable to this request, on the basis that the release of these documents would be in the public interest (s 29(5)(b)). The Committee's advice directly impacts the health of almost 25 million Australians, and the release of these documents is therefore in the interest of the entire Australian population.
Yours faithfully,
Tanysha B.
Attention: Tanysha B
I am writing to notify you that the Department of Health (department) has
received your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) as follows:
“1. The minutes of the meeting to produce 03 April, 2020 statement 2. Any
documentation relied upon, or otherwise referenced in this meeting, to
support the Committee's position and statement”
Request for extension of time
The department is actively processing your request and is aiming to
finalise it as quickly as possible. However, the department is currently
experiencing an increased workload to manage and respond to the
coronavirus pandemic, with a large amount of resources being diverted to
do so. The content of your request means that any documents that exist
would sit with the line area who has responsibility for the department’s
continued response to the coronavirus.
On this basis, the department is seeking an extension of 30 calendar days,
with a decision to be provided to you no later than COB 19 June 2020.
Next Steps
Could you please advise the department by COB Thursday, 23 April 2020 if
you agree to the request for extension of time?
Kind regards
FOI Team Leader
FOI Team - FOI and Legislation Support Section
[1]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal & Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Legal Advice & Legislation Branch
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
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.
Dear FOI,
I agree to the extension of 30 calendar days, with a decision to be provided to me no later than COB 19 June 2020.
Yours sincerely,
Tanysha B
Dear Tanysha B
I refer to your request the Department of Health (department) for access
to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) as
follows:
‘1. The minutes of the meeting to produce 03 April, 2020 statement 2. Any
documentation relied upon, or otherwise referenced in this meeting, to
support the Committee's position and statement’
The relevant line area of the department has conducted extensive searches
and have advised the department does not hold any documents relevant to
the scope of your request that are not already publically available. The
documentation relied upon, or otherwise referenced, by the Australian
Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) in its 3 April 2020
statement can be found referenced within the statement that is publicly
available online via the link below:
[1]https://www.health.gov.au/news/australia...
Next steps
On that basis, can please confirm if you would like to withdraw your
request, or if you would prefer the department to continue processing your
request to a formal decision.
If the department does not hear from you by COB 12 May 2020 indicating
your preferred way forward, we will consider your request withdrawn.
Kind regards
FOI Officer
FOI Unit – FOI and Legislation Support Section
[2]cid:image003.png@01D51610.1D98D220
Legal Advice and Legislation Branch
Legal and Assurance Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][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.