Our Ref: 1502-F1092
 
Dear Mr Palmer
 
Re: Freedom of Information (FOI) Request
 
Thank you for your email dated 25 February 2015 in which you seek access
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to:
 
“the current Memorandum of Understanding or Status of Forces Agreement
between Australia and Iraq which contains the legal framework for the
ongoing Australian military operations in Iraq”
 
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 25 February 2015 and the 30 day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from the day after that
date.  Given the 30 day processing period will end on Saturday 28 March,
you should expect a decision from us by Monday 30 March 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 3880, or by return email.
 
Please note a copy of this email has been sent to Ms Indra McCormick,
Director, Freedom of Information and Privacy Law Section, for her
information.
 
Kind Regards
Elizabeth Toohey

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FOI Ref: 1502-F1092
 
 
Dear Mr Palmer
 
With reference to your FOI request, attached please find the decision
letter.
 
 
Kind Regards
Elizabeth Toohey

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