Thank you for contacting the Freedom of Information (FOI) team in Services
Australia (the Agency).

This email acknowledges your correspondence and provides some general
information in relation to FOI.

Charges

The Agency will advise you if a charge is payable to process your request
and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No charge is
payable for providing a person with their own personal information.

Your address

The FOI Act requires you to provide us with an address which we can send
notices to. We will send correspondence and notices to your email address.
Please advise us as soon as possible if you wish correspondence to be sent
to another address or if your email address changes.

Administrative release of documents

The Agency has administrative access arrangements in place for the release
of certain documents without the need for a formal FOI request. These
arrangements do not extend to information or material of third parties.

Exclusion of staff details

The Agency is working towards ensuring all staff have a choice about
whether they provide their full name, personal logon identifiers and
direct contact details in response to FOI requests. Where such details are
included in documents they will be redacted. If you request staff details
as part of your FOI application, this may add to processing time and
applicable charges as it will be necessary to consider whether these
details are exempt under the FOI Act.

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Our reference: LEX 75591

Ben Faithful

Right to Know

Only by email: [1][FOI #10604 email]

Dear Ben Faithful

Acknowledgement of your Freedom of Information Request

I refer to your request for access to documents under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). You requested access to:

I request the following information relating to the former initiative to
match Centrelink data with data from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) to
detect potential overpayment and the recovery of those overpayments from
citizens. This initiative has been extensively covered by the media using
various names, including #robodebt and #notmydebt.

- Documents listing identified risks, categorisations (Likelihood, Impact,
etc.), and treatments in the period 1 Jan 2017 to 31 Dec 2017, which may
be called:

a) Risk Plans

b) Weekly Reports

c) Issues and Escalated Issues Registers

Your request was received by Services Australia (the Agency) on 22 August
2023 and the 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced
from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from
us by 21 September 2023. The period of 30 days may be extended if we need
to consult third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this
happens.

Charges

The Agency will advise you if a charge is payable to process your request
and the amount of any such charge as soon as practicable. No charge is
payable for providing a person with their own personal information.

Your Address

The FOI Act requires you provide us with an address which we can send
notices to. You have advised your electronic address is
[2][FOI #10604 email]. We will send all notices
and correspondence to this address. Please advise us as soon as possible
if you wish correspondence to be sent to another address or if your
address changes. If you do not advise us of changes to your address,
correspondence and notices will continue to be sent to the address
specified above.

Administrative Release of Documents

The Agency has administrative access arrangements (arrangements) for the
release of certain documents without the need for a formal FOI request.
Unless you advise us otherwise, in processing your request we may provide
you with documents under these arrangements where appropriate. The
arrangements do not extend to information or materials of third parties.
You will be notified when documents are released to you under the
arrangements.

Disclosure Log

Please note information released under the FOI Act may be published in a
disclosure log on the Agency's website. Section 11C of the FOI Act
requires this publication, however it is subject to certain exceptions,
including where publication of personal, business, professional or
commercial information would be unreasonable.

Exclusion of junior staff details

The Agency is working towards ensuring all staff have a choice about
whether they provide their full name, personal logon identifiers and
direct contact details in response to public enquiries. Where such details
are included in the scope of a request, this may add to processing time
and applicable charges as it may be necessary to consider whether the
details are exempt under the FOI Act. On this basis, unless you tell us
otherwise, we will assume these details are out of scope of your request
and they will be redacted under section 22 of the FOI Act.

Further assistance

If you have any questions please email
[3][Services Australia request email].

Kind regards

Jan

FOI Practitioner

Freedom of Information and Ombudsman Branch

Legal Services Division

Email: [4][Services Australia request email]

[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D6B8DA.4DF87C40

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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
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subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
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and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
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References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #10604 email]
2. mailto:[FOI #10604 email]
3. mailto:[Services Australia request email]
4. mailto:[Services Australia request email]

hide quoted sections

Dear Ben Faithful

I refer to your request for access to documents from Services Australia
(the Agency) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

The Agency has identified we will not be in a position to notify you of a
decision by the current due date of 21 September 2023.

We respectfully request an additional 30 days to process your request
under section 15AA of the FOI Act. Should you agree to the extension of
time, a decision on your request would be due on 23 October 2023.

We would be grateful if you could advise if you agree to extend the
processing time of this request by responding “I agree” by close of
business 18 September 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards

Kylie, Senior FOI Officer

FOI and Ombudsman Branch

LEGAL SERVICES DIVISION

This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are
prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you have
received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately
and permanently delete this email

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
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Dear Ben Faithful

Thank you for your response and agreement to a 21 day extension of time
for LEX 75591. The new due date for your request is now 12 October 2023.

Kind regards,
Cherie

Freedom of Information & Ombudsman Branch

LEGAL SERVICES DIVISION

Please note: This email and any attachments may contain information
subject to legal professional privilege or information that is otherwise
sensitive or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this
email, you are prohibited from using or disseminating this communication.
If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender
immediately and permanently delete this email.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ben Faithful <[FOI #10604 email]>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 9:29 PM
To: FREEDOMOFINFORMATION <[Services Australia request email]>
Subject: Re: LEX 75591 - Communication - Extension of time request
[SEC=OFFICIAL]

Caution: Do not click any links or open any attachments unless you trust
the sender and believe the content to be safe.

Dear FREEDOMOFINFORMATION,

I agree to a 21 day extension of time.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Faithful

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

Dear Ben Faithful

I refer to your request for access to documents from Services Australia 
(the Agency) under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

The Agency has identified we will not be in a position to notify you of a 
decision by the current due date of 21 September 2023.

We respectfully request an additional 30 days to process your request 
under section 15AA of the FOI Act. Should you agree to the extension of 
time, a decision on your request would be due on 23 October 2023.

We would be grateful if you could advise if you agree to extend the 
processing time of this request by responding “I agree” by close of 
business 18 September 2023.

Thank you for your understanding.

Kind regards

Kylie, Senior FOI Officer

FOI and Ombudsman Branch

LEGAL SERVICES DIVISION

This email and any attachments may contain information subject to legal 
professional privilege or information that is otherwise sensitive or 
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you
are  prohibited from using or disseminating this communication. If you
have  received this communication in error please notify the sender
immediately  and permanently delete this email

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

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

[1][FOI #10604 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:

[2]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.

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

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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[FOI #10604 email]
2. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Faithful,

Please find attached the decision letter and documents relating to your
request for access to documents held by Services Australia, under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982.

As your document is too large to send in one email, I will be sending it
in four. This is email one of four.

If you are unable to open the attachments please contact me by replying to
this email.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth

FOI Practitioner

Freedom of Information and Ombudsman Branch

[1]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.

Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************

References

Visible links

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Faithful,

Please find attached the documents relating to your request for access to
documents held by Services Australia, under the Freedom of Information Act
1982.

As your document is too large to send in one email, I will be sending it
in four. This is email four of four.

If you are unable to open the attachment please contact me by replying to
this email.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth

FOI Practitioner

Freedom of Information and Ombudsman Branch

[1]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.

Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************

References

Visible links

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Faithful,

Please find attached the documents relating to your request for access to
documents held by Services Australia, under the Freedom of Information Act
1982.

As your document is too large to send in one email, I will be sending it
in four email. This is email two of four.

If you are unable to open the attachment please contact me by replying to
this email.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth

FOI Practitioner

Freedom of Information and Ombudsman Branch

[1]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.

Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************

References

Visible links

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Faithful,

Please find attached the documents relating to your request for access to
documents held by Services Australia, under the Freedom of Information Act
1982.

As your document is too large to send in one email, I will be sending it
in four. This is email three of four.

If you are unable to open the attachment please contact me by replying to
this email.

Kind Regards,

Elizabeth

FOI Practitioner

Freedom of Information and Ombudsman Branch

[1]Visual brand element showing Services Australia progress symbol to left
with Services Australia wording to the right of the symbol. Underneath is
servicesaustralia.gov.au and icons representing our social media accounts.
To follow us on social media go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/socialmedia
Aligning the bottom of the signature block is the Services Australia
indigenous artwork strip consisting of cultural elements depicting our
agency’s progress story for First Nations people.

Services Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands we
live on. We pay our respects to all Elders, past and present, of all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations.

**********************************************************************
IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
**********************************************************************

References

Visible links

hide quoted sections