Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I require the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special provisions), legislation, policy or other documents that:

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with whilst moving between different land masses (commonly known as a unincorporated country, or within the realm/Commonwealth) as further described by points 1 and 2 below:

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI request ( https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/1... ), reference: FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there is no legislation or documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal Employee, and/or other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

2. Various Australian States and Territories and the Commonwealth [the realm], have legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or deferred either justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of liberties. For example, ACT Legislation: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/... , and similar/same for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and others.

B. If the Department has no provisions (or special provisions) or documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not denied/disseised, I require the policy, legislation, or other documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can:

1. require a man into involuntary servitude; and
2. deny a man the right to move between land masses; and
3. deny a man liberty

Thanks in advance

Yours faithfully,

Bob

FOI FOI, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

OFFICIAL
FOI Request: LEX 11028

Dear Bob

Thank you for your email dated 5 June 2024 seeking access to documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

This email sets out some information about how your request will be processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the department), together with requesting that you withdraw your request.

Scope of request
You have sought access to:

I require the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special provisions), legislation, policy or other documents that:

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with whilst moving between different land masses (commonly known as a unincorporated country, or within the realm/Commonwealth) as further described by points 1 and 2 below:

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI request, reference: FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there is no legislation or documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal Employee, and/or other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

2. Various Australian States and Territories and the Commonwealth [the realm], have legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or deferred either justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of liberties. For example, ACT Legislation: and similar/same for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and others.

B. If the Department has no provisions (or special provisions) or documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not denied/disseised, I require the policy, legislation, or other documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can:

1. require a man into involuntary servitude; and
2. deny a man the right to move between land masses; and
3. deny a man liberty

Request for assistance

Invitation to withdraw your request
For the reasons set out below, we would be grateful if you withdrew your FOI request.

Additional information
The department’s purpose is to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas.
The department leads Australian Government efforts at 116 posts in 86 countries. We provide a secure, safe and connected presence for the Australian Government to pursue opportunities overseas. Through our posts, we also deliver high quality consular and passport services to Australians overseas.

The department leads efforts across government, in partnership with business and the wider community, in pursuit of international opportunities. We champion the multilateral system, support our region to mitigate and respond to the increasing frequency of disasters, and advise on new opportunities to pursue Australia’s national interests. We provide international policy advice to the Government, deliver Australia’s new International Development Policy, strengthen trade and investment ties, build economic resilience, and demonstrate Australia’s growing climate leadership.

The department does not track the movement of people across Australian borders, nor do we track the movement of people within, or between, States and Territories. As such, the department would not ordinarily hold any of the documents you have sought access to.

State/Territory movement
You would need to contact the respective State or Territory government authority for information regarding States or Territories.

The Australia’s Constitution – with Overview and Notes by the Australian Government Solicitor provides minimal information regarding section 92 of the Constitution providing for the freedom of movement across State borders - https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_About_....

Further, Papers on Parliament – Law and border – who has the power to control movement across state borders? (Anne Twomey) discusses section 92 in further detail - https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_About_....

International movement
If you would like information on international movement records, you will need to contact the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) as they are the responsible agency for the movement of people across Australian borders.

You can contact Home Affairs through their website – http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-and....

We note that given the scope of your request, Home Affairs may not hold any relevant documents.

General FOI matters
Timeframe for receiving our decision
We received your request on 5 June 2024 and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision by 5 July 2024. The period of 30 days may be extended in certain circumstances, for example if we need to consult with a third party.

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details
It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all government officials, and the names, gender pronouns, and contact details of government officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent. If you require the mobile numbers of all government officials, or the names and contact details of non-SES officials, 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.

Should you require any further information please contact the department by reply email.

Kind regards

DFAT FOI Team
_____________________________________________________
Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Kind regards

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob <[FOI #11497 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2024 10:13 PM
To: FOI FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Freedom of Information request - Provisons for right of movement

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.

Dear Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I require the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special provisions), legislation, policy or other documents that:

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with whilst moving between different land masses (commonly known as a unincorporated country, or within the realm/Commonwealth) as further described by points 1 and 2 below:

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI request ( https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/1... ), reference: FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there is no legislation or documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal Employee, and/or other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

2. Various Australian States and Territories and the Commonwealth [the realm], have legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or deferred either justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of liberties. For example, ACT Legislation: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/... , and similar/same for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and others.

B. If the Department has no provisions (or special provisions) or documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not denied/disseised, I require the policy, legislation, or other documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can:

1. require a man into involuntary servitude; and 2. deny a man the right to move between land masses; and 3. deny a man liberty

Thanks in advance

Yours faithfully,

Bob

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #11497 email]

Is [DFAT request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

Dear DFAT FOI team,

Thanks for your prompt response with information supplied. This has helped to narrow the request to the information sought, hence to help clarify the request, some additional information is provided:

i. This request is not about movement of 'people', or movement between States and Territories, or movement of legal entities (such as PERSONs, Individuals, Citizens) across borders, or movement records; and
ii. noting that the Department is responsible for issuance of Passports to permit legal entities travel across Country borders, then it would be expected that the Department (DFAT) provides provisions/special provisions or special arrangements to ensure a man's right of liberty to movement (across a Country border) is not interfered with; and
iii. Points 1 and 2 of the original FOI request in Section A is background information and will help identify the requested documents.

I have amended the original request to read as follows:

As the Department (DFAT) is responsible for the issuance and management of Passports that other Federal Departments and Agencies depend on that relate to borders, commerce of legal entities across borders, I require the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special provisions), or special arrangements, any non-published Legislation, Legislation, policy, or other documents that:

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with whilst moving between different land masses, across a Country border, or across The Commonwealth. The information in points 1 and 2 below provide background to the right of man and the legislation enforced across The Commonwealth and various Countries to ensure the right, liberty and justice of a man is not denied:

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI request reference (see link in original request in this email thread): FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there is no legislation or documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal Employee, and/or other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

2. Various Australian States and Territories, Countries (such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand) and The Commonwealth [the realm], have legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or deferred either justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of liberty. An example of this legislation can be found https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/... and is similar/same to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, The Commonwealth, and others.

B. If the Department (DFAT) has no documented provisions (or special provisions), or special arrangements, or any non-published legislation, policy or other documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not denied/disseised when moving: between land masses, across a Country Border, or throughout The Commonwealth, then, I require the policy, legislation, or other documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can:

1. require a man into involuntary servitude by requiring a man give up rights and liberties to involuntary serve under the limited and revocable rights of a legal entity with a Passport in order to move between land masses, a Country Border, or throughout The Commonwealth; and
2. deny a man the right to move between land masses, a Country Border, or throughout The Commonwealth; and
3. deny a man liberty

Please advise if you have any questions.

Yours sincerely,

Bob

FOI FOI, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

2 Attachments

OFFICIAL

 

FOI Request: LEX 11028

 

Dear Bob

 

Please find attached a letter notifying you of the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade’s decision on your FOI request.

 

Kind regards 

 

DFAT FOI Team

_____________________________________________________
Assistant Director | Freedom of Information Section
Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division

 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

[1]dfat.gov.au | [2]X | [3]Facebook | [4]Instagram  | [5]LinkedIn

 

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob <[FOI #11497 email]>
Sent: Thursday, June 6, 2024 2:12 PM
To: FOI FOI <[DFAT request email]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Your FOI Request – Acknowledgement and request for
assistance (LEX 11028) [SEC=OFFICIAL]

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the organisation. Do not click
links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender.

 

Dear DFAT FOI team,

 

 

 

Thanks for your prompt response with information supplied. This has helped
to narrow the request to the information sought, hence to help clarify the
request, some additional information is provided:

 

 

 

i. This request is not about movement of 'people', or movement between
States and Territories, or movement of legal entities (such as PERSONs,
Individuals, Citizens) across borders, or movement records; and

 

ii. noting that the Department is responsible for issuance of Passports to
permit legal entities travel across Country borders, then it would be
expected that the Department (DFAT) provides provisions/special provisions
or special arrangements to ensure a man's right of liberty to movement
(across a Country border) is not interfered with; and

 

iii. Points 1 and 2 of the original FOI request in Section A is background
information and will help identify the requested documents.

 

 

 

I have amended the original request to read as follows:

 

 

 

As the Department (DFAT) is responsible for the issuance and management of
Passports that other Federal Departments and Agencies depend on that
relate to borders, commerce of legal entities across borders, I require
the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special
provisions), or special arrangements, any non-published Legislation,
Legislation, policy, or other documents that:

 

 

 

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with
whilst moving between different land masses, across a Country border, or
across The Commonwealth. The information in points 1 and 2 below provide
background to the right of man and the legislation enforced across The
Commonwealth and various Countries to ensure the right, liberty and
justice of a man is not denied:

 

 

 

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI
request reference (see link in original request in this email thread):
FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there is no legislation or
documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal Employee, and/or
other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

 

 

 

2. Various Australian States and Territories, Countries (such as the
United Kingdom, New Zealand) and The Commonwealth [the realm], have
legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or deferred either
justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of liberty. An example of
this legislation can be found
[6]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
and is similar/same to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, The Commonwealth,
and others.

 

 

 

B. If the Department (DFAT) has no documented provisions (or special
provisions), or special arrangements, or any non-published legislation,
policy or other documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not
denied/disseised when moving:  between land masses, across a Country
Border, or throughout The Commonwealth, then, I require the policy,
legislation, or other documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade can:

 

 

 

1. require a man into involuntary servitude by requiring a man give up
rights and liberties to involuntary serve under the limited and revocable
rights of a legal entity with a Passport in order to move between land
masses, a Country Border, or throughout The Commonwealth; and

 

2. deny a man the right to move between land masses, a Country Border, or
throughout The Commonwealth; and

 

3. deny a man liberty

 

 

 

Please advise if you have any questions.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Bob

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

 

 

 

OFFICIAL

 

FOI Request: LEX 11028

 

 

 

Dear Bob

 

 

 

Thank you for your email dated 5 June 2024 seeking access to documents
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

 

 

 

This email sets out some information about how your request will be
processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the department),
together with requesting that you withdraw your request.

 

 

 

Scope of request

 

You have sought access to:

 

 

 

I require the Department to provide the documented provisions (or special
provisions), legislation, policy or other documents that:

 

 

 

A. Ensure the right of a man (a non-legal entity) is not interfered with
whilst moving between different land masses (commonly known as a
unincorporated country, or within the realm/Commonwealth) as further
described by points 1 and 2 below:

 

 

 

1. The Attorney General's Department has provided information via a FOI
request, reference: FOI24/213; CM24/8446, dated 20 May 2024, that: there
is no legislation or documents that give a Federal Agency, and/or Federal
Employee, and/or other Federal personnel jurisdiction over a man; and

 

 

 

2. Various Australian States and Territories and the Commonwealth [the
realm], have legislation enforced that ensure a man is not denied or
deferred either justice or right. Nor can a man can be disseised of
liberties. For example, ACT Legislation: and similar/same for the United
Kingdom, New Zealand, and others.

 

 

 

B. If the Department has no provisions (or special provisions) or
documents to ensure the right and liberty of a man is not
denied/disseised, I require the policy, legislation, or other documents
that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can:

 

 

 

1. require a man into involuntary servitude; and

 

2. deny a man the right to move between land masses; and

 

3. deny a man liberty

 

 

 

Request for assistance

 

 

 

Invitation to withdraw your request

 

For the reasons set out below, we would be grateful if you withdrew your
FOI request.

 

 

 

Additional information

 

The department’s purpose is to make Australia stronger, safer and more
prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport
services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas.

 

The department leads Australian Government efforts at 116 posts in 86
countries. We provide a secure, safe and connected presence for the
Australian Government to pursue opportunities overseas. Through our posts,
we also deliver high quality consular and passport services to Australians
overseas.

 

 

 

The department leads efforts across government, in partnership with
business and the wider community, in pursuit of international
opportunities. We champion the multilateral system, support our region to
mitigate and respond to the increasing frequency of disasters, and advise
on new opportunities to pursue Australia’s national interests. We provide
international policy advice to the Government, deliver Australia’s new
International Development Policy, strengthen trade and investment ties,
build economic resilience, and demonstrate Australia’s growing climate
leadership.

 

 

 

The department does not track the movement of people across Australian
borders, nor do we track the movement of people within, or between, States
and Territories. As such, the department would not ordinarily hold any of
the documents you have sought access to.

 

 

 

State/Territory movement

 

You would need to contact the respective State or Territory government
authority for information regarding States or Territories.

 

 

 

The Australia’s Constitution – with Overview and Notes by the Australian
Government Solicitor provides minimal information regarding section 92 of
the Constitution providing for the freedom of movement across State
borders -
[7]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo....

 

 

 

Further, Papers on Parliament – Law and border – who has the power to
control movement across state borders? (Anne Twomey) discusses section 92
in further detail -
[8]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo....

 

 

 

International movement

 

If you would like information on international movement records, you will
need to contact the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) as they are
the responsible agency for the movement of people across Australian
borders.

 

 

 

You can contact Home Affairs through their website –
[9]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo....

 

 

 

We note that given the scope of your request, Home Affairs may not hold
any relevant documents.

 

 

 

General FOI matters

 

Timeframe for receiving our decision

 

We received your request on 5 June 2024 and the 30-day statutory period
for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You
should therefore expect a decision by 5 July 2024. The period of 30 days
may be extended in certain circumstances, for example if we need to
consult with a third party.

 

 

 

Exclusion of officials’ names and contact details

 

It is the department’s policy to withhold the mobile numbers of all
government officials, and the names, gender pronouns, and contact details
of government officials not in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or
equivalent. If you require the mobile numbers of all government officials,
or the names and contact details of non-SES officials, 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.

 

 

 

Should you require any further information please contact the department
by reply email.

 

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

DFAT FOI Team

 

_____________________________________________________

 

Freedom of Information Section

 

Public Interest Law Branch | Regulatory and Legal Policy Division

 

 

 

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

 

 

dfat.gov.au | X | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

 

 

 

© Brooke Rigney-Lively (2024)

 

 

 

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our
respects to all First Nations peoples, their cultures and to their Elders,
past, present and emerging.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

 

[10][FOI #11497 email]

 

 

 

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

 

[11]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...

 

 

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

 

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

References

Visible links
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2. https://x.com/DFAT
3. https://www.facebook.com/dfat.gov.au/
4. https://www.instagram.com/dfat/?hl=en
5. https://au.linkedin.com/company/departme...
6. https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/View/...
7. https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_About_...
8. https://www.aph.gov.au/-/media/05_About_...
9. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/access-and...
10. mailto:[FOI #11497 email]
11. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections