MOU or SOFA re ongoing Australian military actions in Iraq

Culley Palmer made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

The request was refused by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

Please consider this a request under the Freedom of Information Act
1982;

The document/s I seek are 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.

Please do not hesitate to reply by return email if I may be of any assistance.

Regards,

Culley Palmer

FOI, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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.
 
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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
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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
_______________________________
Assistant Director, Legal | FOI and Privacy Law Section
Corporate Legal Branch | Legal Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone +61 2 6261 3880
[1]www.dfat.gov.au
Web | Twitter | YouTube | Flickr
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information, or
legal advice over which legal professional privilege can be claimed.  Such
privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of
the advice, you avoid waiving privilege.  Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Culley Palmer
[[2]mailto:[FOI #983 email]]
Sent: Wednesday, 25 February 2015 5:37 PM
To: FOI
Subject: Freedom of Information request - MOU or SOFA re ongoing
Australian military actions in Iraq
 
Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
 
Please consider this a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982;
 
The document/s I seek are 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.
 
Please do not hesitate to reply by return email if I may be of any
assistance.
 
Regards,
 
Culley Palmer
 
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Toohey, Elizabeth, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

1 Attachment

FOI Ref: 1502-F1092
 
 
Dear Mr Palmer
 
With reference to your FOI request, attached please find the decision
letter.
 
 
Kind Regards
Elizabeth Toohey
_______________________________
Assistant Director, Legal | FOI and Privacy Law Section
Corporate Legal Branch | Legal Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Phone +61 2 6261 3880
[1]www.dfat.gov.au
Web | [2]Twitter | [3]YouTube | [4]Flickr
This email and any attachments may contain confidential information, or
legal advice over which legal professional privilege can be claimed.  Such
privilege is not waived and you should ensure that, in your handling of
the advice, you avoid waiving privilege.  Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
 
 
 

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