Precise salaries of the Department's SES Band 2 and 3 staff FY14/15, FY15/16 and FY16/17
Dear Department of Communications and the Arts,
The following is an application for the purposes of the FOI Act.
I am conducting research, across a range of Government agencies, into the Government's enterprise bargaining framework for the Commonwealth Public Service. Specifically, in the interests of equity and transparency, whether the Government's policy to reduce the living standards of rank and file public servants (that is, public servants who are not considered senior executive service staff ('SES')) also extends to SES public servants.
I refer the Department of Communications and the Arts (the Department) to my FOI request made of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner here (the 'OAIC request'): https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/p...
By this application I make the same request of the Department albeit such that every reference to 'OAIC' in the OAIC request should be read as a reference to the 'Department', and the each reference to 'SES officers' be read as a reference to the Department's SES Band 2 and SES Band 3 officers for the purposes of this request. I rely on all my submissions contained in the OAIC request, in support of this request made of the APSC under s.15 of the FOI Act.
Further, I am amenable to the Department providing copies of relevant group certificates or otherwise a payroll report or other summary document with the names of the relevant SES Band 2 and 3 officers redacted but only on the condition that each relevant officer's name be replaced by a single unique identifier such that each relevant SES officer's precise salary can be tracked over the three relevant financial years (eg. SES officer #1, SES officer #2, SES officer #3 etc).
Thanks.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Applicant
I refer to your email below outlining a request for access to documents
held by the Department of Communications and the Arts. To assist our
processing of this request, we would appreciate it if you could please
advise whether you have any outstanding FOI Requests of a similar nature
with the Department?
Your response by return email would be appreciated.
[1]cid:image001.png@01D38DEF.44D6BBE0
FOI
Parliamentary Services Section / Governance Branch
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 2 6271 1277
[2][Department of Communications and the Arts request email]
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra, ACT 2601
[3]communications.gov.au / [4]@CommsAu
[5]arts.gov.au / [6]@artsculturegov
I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land on
which we meet, work and live. I recognise and respect their continuing
connection to the land, waters and communities. I pay my respect to Elders
past and present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
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 the handling of the
advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear FOI,
Could you please explain how my response to your question will "assist [the Department's] processing of [my] request" as you claim?
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Applicant
As there is some similarity between this request and another which the
Department is currently processing, it would assist the Department to know
if you are the applicant for both requests in order to determine if we may
discuss particular issues with you.
Grateful if you could please advise by return email.
[1]cid:image001.png@01D38DEF.44D6BBE0
FOI
Parliamentary Services Section / Governance Branch
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 2 6271 1277
[2][Department of Communications and the Arts request email]
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra, ACT 2601
[3]communications.gov.au / [4]@CommsAu
[5]arts.gov.au / [6]@artsculturegov
I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land on
which we meet, work and live. I recognise and respect their continuing
connection to the land, waters and communities. I pay my respect to Elders
past and present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.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 the handling of the
advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
Dear FOI,
This one is mine: https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/g...
It's been outstanding for 13 months now because the Department chose not to process it in accordance with the law.
It's different to this request because it concerns a different class of officers and differing time periods. Notwithstanding that it may be politically inconvenient, might I suggest that you process this request in accordance with your legal and professional obligations.
UNCLASSIFIED
FOI 35-1718
Dear Applicant
I refer to your email dated 23 January 2018 outlining a new request for
access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).
Timeframe for receiving your decision:
Please note that we will process your request in accordance with the
Department’s [1]FOI Policy and that the 30 day statutory period for
processing the request commenced on 24 January 2018. You should therefore
expect a decision from us by 22 February 2018. 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.
Charges:
Please note that it is the Department’s policy to issue charges for
processing FOI requests and that we will advise you of the estimated
charges when we are in a position to estimate the resources required to
process the request.
Timing of release:
As the subject matter of the request will require the Department 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 documents to the disclosure log on the same day as or as soon as
practicable after the documents are released. More information on the
Department’s disclosure log is available in the FOI Policy.
Yours sincerely,
[2]cid:image001.png@01D38DEF.44D6BBE0
FOI
Parliamentary Services Section / Governance Branch
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 2 6271 1277
[3][Department of Communications and the Arts request email]
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra, ACT 2601
[4]communications.gov.au / [5]@CommsAu
[6]arts.gov.au / [7]@artsculturegov
I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land on
which we meet, work and live. I recognise and respect their continuing
connection to the land, waters and communities. I pay my respect to Elders
past and present and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 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 the handling of the
advice, you avoid waiving privilege. Please consult the author of the
advice if unsure about appropriate handling.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Applicant
I refer to your FOI request received on 23 January 2018 seeking access to
salaries of SES officers of the Department for the financial years 14/15,
15/16 and 16/17.
As much of the information you are seeking is captured under a previous
FOI request submitted by you (Department reference: FOI 15-1617) I am
seeking your agreement to combine the scope of this request (reference:
FOI 35-1718) with your first request. The Department would of course
include data as it would have been relevant at the time of your initial
request, while adding on data relevant at the time of your second
request.
If you were to agree to this option no additional charges would apply for
your second FOI request, only those which have already been applied on the
first request. We would also seek your agreement to withdraw your second
request.
I would be grateful if you could confirm your agreement to the following
as soon as possible:
1. agree to combine the scope of this FOI request with your earlier
FOI request reference: FOI 15-1617.
2. agree to withdraw this FOI request.
Please feel free to contact me on 02 6271 1652 if you would like to
discuss.
Kind regards
[1]cid:C4234CC5-D32A-44FF-A754-F96227B373F7
FOI Coordinator / Parliamentary Services / Governance
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 6271 1652
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
–
[2]communications.gov.au
[3]cid:17F0759F-5B67-41BB-B991-66700A2CA00A [4]@CommsAu
[5]arts.gov.au
[6]cid:17F0759F-5B67-41BB-B991-66700A2CA00A [7]@artsculturegov
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Applicant
I refer to your FOI request received on 23 January 2018 seeking access to
salaries of SES officers of the Department for the financial years 14/15,
15/16 and 16/17.
As much of the information you are seeking is captured under a previous
FOI request submitted by you (Department reference: FOI 15-1617) I am
seeking your agreement to combine the scope of this request (reference:
FOI 35-1718) with your first request. The Department would of course
include data as it would have been relevant at the time of your initial
request, while adding on data relevant at the time of your second
request.
If you were to agree to this option no additional charges would apply for
your second FOI request, only those which have already been applied on the
first request. We would also seek your agreement to withdraw your second
request, as we would be processing them as one.
I would be grateful if you could confirm your agreement to the following
as soon as possible:
1. agree to combine the scope of this FOI request with your earlier
FOI request reference: FOI 15-1617.
2. agree to withdraw this FOI request.
Please feel free to contact me on 02 6271 1652 if you would like to
discuss.
Kind regards
[1]cid:C4234CC5-D32A-44FF-A754-F96227B373F7
FOI Coordinator / Parliamentary Services / Governance
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 6271 1652
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
–
[2]communications.gov.au
[3]cid:17F0759F-5B67-41BB-B991-66700A2CA00A [4]@CommsAu
[5]arts.gov.au
[6]cid:17F0759F-5B67-41BB-B991-66700A2CA00A [7]@artsculturegov
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Applicant
Notification of third party consultation - FOI 35-1718 – SES Salaries
I refer to your request for access to documents in the possession of the
Department of Communications and the Arts (the Department) in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act):
“I refer the Department of Communications and the Arts (the Department) to
my FOI request made of the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner here (the 'OAIC request'):
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/p...
By this application I make the same request of the Department albeit such
that every reference to 'OAIC' in the OAIC request should be read as a
reference to the 'Department', and the each reference to 'SES officers' be
read as a reference to the Department's SES Band 2 and SES Band 3 officers
for the purposes of this request. I rely on all my submissions contained
in the OAIC request, in support of this request made of the APSC under
s.15 of the FOI Act.
Further, I am amenable to the Department providing copies of relevant
group certificates or otherwise a payroll report or other summary document
with the names of the relevant SES Band 2 and 3 officers redacted but only
on the condition that each relevant officer's name be replaced by a single
unique identifier such that each relevant SES officer's precise salary can
be tracked over the three relevant financial years (eg. SES officer #1,
SES officer #2, SES officer #3 etc).”
While processing your request, the Department has identified that your
request includes documents containing personal information about a person.
In accordance with Section 27A of the FOI Act, the Department is required
to consult with the persons concerned before making a decision on the
release of documents.
I am writing to advise you that the processing time limit for your request
has been extended by 30 days in accordance with Section 15(6) of the FOI
Act.
If you agree to combine the scope of this request with your previous
request and withdraw this request, you are welcome to do so. However,
until we receive advice from you on this, the Department will continue to
process your requests separately.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the processing of
your request. I can be reached by telephone on (02) 6271 1652 or by email
at [email address].
Regards,
FOI Coordinator / Parliamentary Services / Governance
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 6271 1652
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601
–
communications.gov.au
@CommsAu
arts.gov.au
@artsculturegov
Thank you for your email.
As the Department has now had 14 months to consider my request (Department reference: FOI 15-1617), I imagine that a decision has been made (informal or otherwise) as to whether to release the relevant documents or otherwise to refuse access to those documents or parts thereof.
On that basis, if the Department has decided (informally or otherwise) to release a document or documents that detail the precise salaries of relevant officers along with: i) the names of those officers; or otherwise ii) appending a unique identifier to each relevant officer (eg. SES officer #1, SES officer #2, SES officer #3 etc) such that each relevant SES officer's precise salary can be tracked over the three relevant financial years - then I consent to the Department combining FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 15-1617 with FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 35-1718 and I agree to withdraw FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 35-1718.
In all other cases, I do not consent to FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 15-1617 being combined with FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 35-1718 (nor do I agree to withdraw FOI request with Departmental reference: FOI 35-1718).
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear applicant
Decision on access - FOI 35-1718 - SES Salaries
I refer to your request for access to documents in the possession of the Department of Communications and the Arts (the Department) in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).
A statement of reasons regarding access to the documents subject to your request is attached.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the processing of your request. I can be reached by telephone on (02) 6271 1652 or by email at [email address].
Regards,
FOI Coordinator / Governance
Department of Communications and the Arts
P +61 6271 1652
2 Phillip Law Street, Canberra ACT 2601
GPO Box 2154 Canberra ACT 2601