Plans relating to transition to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4
Dear Department of Communications,
Could the department please supply any and all internal communications, plans, file notes, memos, or roadmaps pertaining to a transition to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 broadcasts so as to allow broadcasters to more efficiently use their available spectrum by way of more content and higher quality transmissions.
Yours faithfully,
Robert Candelori
Dear Mr Candelori
Could you please contact me, on the number shown below, to discuss the
scope of your recent FOI request?
Regards
Liz Lawler
Manager | FOI Unit| Legal Division
Phone +61 2 6271 1441
Department of Communications
Level 3, 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
[1]www.communications.gov.au
References
Visible links
1. http://www.communications.gov.au/
Dear Liz,
I would prefer to communicate via email so as to keep the process transparent.
If you could specifically list your concerns or issue with the scope, that would be most helpful.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Robert Candelori
Dear Mr Candelori
Thank you for your email. I had wanted to discuss with you my assessment
that your recent FOI request is unmanageable in its current form. Your
reference to ‘any and all’ documents over an unlimited timeframe would
require an extensive search which would be a substantial and unreasonable
diversion of the Department’s resources.
As you would be aware, MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 technologies have been available
for several years; the extent to which any discussion of transition to
these technologies has occurred within the Department would require an
extensive search for documents, also over a period of several years. In
addition, as your request is for ‘any and all documents’ it would require
a search encompassing the full range of documents including emails, file
notes, submissions and other forms as defined in s.4 of the FOI Act; a
search which may or may not reveal any documents of substance.
It would be helpful if you would define the scope of your request by
specifying the timeframe within which you are seeking information; the
nature of the documents you are seeking and a more precise subject matter.
For example you might specify that you are seeking submissions or
briefings since the discussion paper was released; or substantial
documents relating to discussion of a transition pathway.
For your information, I have provided a link to the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA) public discussion paper
released in January 2012 [1]Beyond switchover - the future technical
evolution of digital terrestrial television in Australia - Discussion
paper This may be a useful starting point for your enquiry.
The processing clock has not commenced on this request. As currently
worded the request would substantially and unreasonably divert the
Department’s resources from its other operations which would mean that I
would likely have to refuse your request. I look forward to receiving a
response from you that would allow the Department to commence processing
of your request.
Please call me on the number shown below if you would like to discuss this
matter.
Regards
Liz Lawler
Manager | FOI Unit| Legal Division
Phone +61 2 6271 1441
Department of Communications
Level 3, 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
[2]www.communications.gov.au
References
Visible links
1. http://www.acma.gov.au/~/media/Digital%2...
2. http://www.communications.gov.au/
Dear Liz
My apologies for the delay in responding.
I would like to confine my request to any and all substantial documents relating to a discussion of a pathway to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 between 8 September 2013 and 10 April 2014, including but not limited to ministerial briefing papers and correspondence between the Department of Communications and the ACMA.
Yours sincerely,
Robert Candelori
Dear Mr Candelori
Freedom of Information Request No. 42-1314
I refer to your correspondence of 10 April 2014, requesting access under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the following:
‘Any and all substantial documents relating to a discussion of a pathway
to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4 between 8 September 2013 and 10 April 2014, including
but not limited to ministerial briefing papers and correspondence between
the Department of Communications and the ACMA’.
In accordance with sections 27 and 27A of the FOI Act, it is necessary to
consult with third parties concerning the release of documents containing
information about their business affairs and personal information.
While subsection 15(5) of the FOI Act sets a 30-day time limit for a
decision on access to documents, subsection 15(6) provides a 30-day
extension for the consultation process outlined above and the time limit
for processing your request has been extended accordingly.
Information Publication Scheme
Please note that in accordance with section 11C of the FOI Act, where the
Department gives access to a document under section 11A of the FOI Act,
the Department must publish that information on its website within 10
working days after the day an applicant is given access to the documents.
Please see [1]www.oaic.gov.au for more information about the Information
Publication Scheme.
Please contact us if you have any queries.
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer
FOI Unit | Legal Division
Phone +61 2 6271 1741
[2]www.communications.gov.au
Department of Communications
Level 3, 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
References
Visible links
1. http://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. http://www.communications.gov.au/
Dear Mr Candelori
Freedom of Information Request No. 42-1314– Decision on Access
Please find attached the following documents relating to your FOI request:
· Decision on Access – Statement of Reasons
· Schedule of Documents
· Documents being released to you
· OAIC FOI Fact Sheet 12 - Applicant Review Rights
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer
FOI Unit | Legal Division
Phone +61 02 6271 1741
[1]www.communications.gov.au
Department of Communications
Level 3, 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest ACT 2603
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
References
Visible links
1. http://www.communications.gov.au/
Alex Sadleir left an annotation ()
Something that might help is that Government departments must publish a list of the titles of all the files/folios they make of official documents every 6 months. Here's that webpage for this department: http://www.communications.gov.au/about_u...
By drilling down to July-December 2013 and the Broadcasting division, I was able to find a file #2013/5493 titled "Corporate - Reference Material - Emerging Technologies (MPEG-4, DVB-T2, 3D TV)" http://www.communications.gov.au/about_u...
And another file from 2012 #2012/101 "Broadcasting - Advice - MPEG-4 compression technology" http://www.archive.dbcde.gov.au/2013/mar...
By telling the department exactly which files you want them to search (or perhaps the files in their entirety depending on size?) rather than having to search emails/submissions, the request should become reasonable.