OFFICIAL

Reference: FOI/2023/313

Dear Mr Unmeopa

Thank you for your email of 30 October 2023, in which you made a request
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to the Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department).

You set out the terms of the request as follows:

Please accept my request for documents in accordance with the FOI Act. 
Please refer to FOI/2021/2021/267IC. I will be grateful if you will
provide me with a copy of:

1. document 1 with the s22 redactions removed.

2. a copy of the documents PM&C brought into existence or received in
response to 18 October 2021 FOI request.  Please note this means the
documents also created during the

   internal review and IC review phases of the request.

3. correspondence between the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner and PM&C related to the request.

Timeframe for receiving your decision

The 30 day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the
day after the Department received your request, you should therefore
expect a decision from us by 29 November 2023.  The processing period of
30 days may be extended in certain circumstances and we will write to you
separately regarding any extension of time.

Charges

Agencies may decide that an applicant is liable to pay a charge in respect
of a request for access to documents. If the Department decides that you
are liable to pay a charge, we will send you a preliminary assessment of
the charge as soon as possible.

Publication of documents

Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on our disclosure log at
[1]https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/depart...,
subject to certain exceptions. If you think you might wish to raise any
objections to the publication of any of the information which may be
released to you please contact us by email at [2][DPMC request email].  If you
do wish to object to the publication of information, you would need to
provide supporting reasons.

Exclusion of officers’ names and contact details

For documents that fall within scope of the request, it is the
Department’s policy to withhold:

·       any person’s signature;

·       the names and contact details of Australian Public Service
officers not in the Senior Executive Service (SES);

·       the mobile or direct numbers of SES officers;

·       the names and contact details of Ministerial staff at a level
below Chief of Staff.

If you consider that the information categorised above is relevant to the
terms of your request please let us know at [3][DPMC request email], otherwise
we will take it that you agree to that information being excluded from the
scope of your request (that is, the information will be treated as
irrelevant and deleted from any documents for release). The names and
other details of SES officers will not be withheld unless there is some
reason for that information to be exempt from release.

Further information on FOI processing can be found at the website of the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
[4]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....

Kind regards

Coordinator | FOI Section

[ ]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [5][email address]  w. [6]pmc.gov.au

[7]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/depart...
2. mailto:[DPMC request email]
3. mailto:[DPMC request email]
4. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
5. mailto:[email address]
6. https://www.pmc.gov.au/

OFFICIAL

Reference: FOI/2023/313

Dear Mr Unmeopa

We write in relation to your request made to the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet (the Department) on 30 October 2023, under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act), in the following terms:

Please refer to FOI/2021/2021/267IC. I will be grateful if you will
provide me with a copy of:

1.       document 1 with the s22 redactions removed.

2.       a copy of the documents PM&C brought into existence or received
in response to 18 October 2021 FOI request.  Please note this means the
documents also created during the internal review and IC review phases of
the request.

3.       correspondence between the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner and PM&C related to the request.

Confirmation of scope

Noting that your request include documents which are publicly available
via the [1]Right to Know website, we seek your confirmation that you are
amenable to exclude documents which are already publicly available, as
well as duplicates, from the scope of your request.

To assist the Department to continue processing your request, it would be
appreciated if you could provide this confirmation by COB Wednesday, 22
November 2023.

Notification of Third Party Consult

We also wish to advise that the request covers documents which contain
personal information of one or more individuals, and the Department is
required to consult with those individuals (under section 27A of the FOI
Act) before making a decision on the release of the document.

The consultation mechanisms under section 27A applies when we believe the
person or organisation concerned may wish to contend that the requested
documents are exempt for reasons of personal privacy. Where a consultation
under section 27A is entered into, the FOI Act provides an extension of
the processing period by 30 days (section 15(6)) in order to allow the
Department time to consult with that organisation or person. As a result
the extended due date of your FOI request is 29 December 2023, we will
endeavour to finalised the request at an earlier date if possible.

Further information on FOI processing can be found at the website of the
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
[2]https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor....

Lianna | Adviser

FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [3][email address]  w. [4]pmc.gov.au

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/request/s...
2. https://www.oaic.gov.au/freedom-of-infor...
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.pmc.gov.au/

OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Unmeopa,

I refer to your email dated 30 October 2023, in which you made a request
to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department) under
the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in the following terms:

Please accept my request for documents in accordance with the FOI Act. 

Please refer to FOI/2021/2021/267IC. I will be grateful if you will
provide me with a copy of:

1. document 1 with the s22 redactions removed.

2. a copy of the documents PM&C brought into existence or received in
response to 18 October 2021 FOI request.  Please note this means the
documents also created during the internal review and IC review phases of
the request.

3. correspondence between the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner and PM&C related to the request.

The current due date for a decision on your request is 29 December 2023.
The purpose of this email is to seek an extension in order to keep your
FOI request within time. The FOI Act has built-in provisions and
operations that provide for extensions to enable agencies to manage their
FOI requests and keep them within time. The Department would like to work
with applicants in managing the timeframes of its requests wherever
possible.

Your request currently falls due during the Department’s shutdown period,
and work continues to process documents relevant to the scope of your
request. Regrettably, the Department will not be in a position to finalise
your decision by the current due date, and seeks your agreement to an
extension of 21 days to the relevant timeframe. Your request will then be
due by 19 January 2024.

We will keep you updated on the progress of this request if circumstances
change, and endeavour to provide a decision prior to the extended due date
where possible.

If you agree to this request for an extension of time, I ask that you
confirm this in writing via return email by close of business
Monday 18 December 2023.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Adviser

FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address]  w. [2]pmc.gov.au

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/

OFFICIAL

Reference: FOI 2023/313

Dear Mr Unmeopa

I write to update you on your FOI request. Documents have been identified
and we are working through preparing the access decision, prior to
finalising this decision we wish to consult with you on the terms of your
request and clarify more specifically what copies you seek to access.

We would be grateful if you could consider whether you intended to capture
the following documents within your request:

·         Copies of the correspondence between the Department and FOI
applicant for matter FOI/2021/267 | FOI/2021/267/IC. We note these records
are publicly available on the Right to Know website

·         Duplicate records, noting this includes emails that then form
part of larger email threads.

If these records are not required we would be grateful for your
clarification of their exclusion. We would only exclude copies of emails
that are entirely duplicated within an email thread, and each unique email
thread will be retained to fall within scope.

Request for further time under section 15AA of the FOI Act.

We seek an additional 7 days under the FOI Act to finalise the access
decision, this would result in an amended due date of 26 January 2024.  

We would be grateful for your reply by Thursday 18 January 2024.

Yours sincerely

Janelle

Adviser | FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit  Barton  ACT  2600  |  PO Box
6500  CANBERRA  ACT  2600
e. [1][email address]  w. [2]pmc.gov.au

[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0

[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...

OFFICIAL

Reference: FOI 2023/313

Dear Mr Unmeopa

I write further to my email below and please accept my apology, I
acknowledge that you did clarify the terms of this request on 21 November
2023. This is sufficient for us to proceed.

We do still seek your agreement for a further 7 days extension. If you
agree please reply to my email.

Kind Regards

Janelle

From: FOI <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 15 January 2024 6:03 PM
To: Francis Unmeopa <[FOI #10809 email]>; FOI
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: FOI/2023/313 – Clarify request terms and request for an
extension [SEC=OFFICIAL]

OFFICIAL

Reference: FOI 2023/313

Dear Mr Unmeopa

I write to update you on your FOI request. Documents have been identified
and we are working through preparing the access decision, prior to
finalising this decision we wish to consult with you on the terms of your
request and clarify more specifically what copies you seek to access.

We would be grateful if you could consider whether you intended to capture
the following documents within your request:

·         Copies of the correspondence between the Department and FOI
applicant for matter FOI/2021/267 | FOI/2021/267/IC. We note these records
are publicly available on the Right to Know website

·         Duplicate records, noting this includes emails that then form
part of larger email threads.

If these records are not required we would be grateful for your
clarification of their exclusion. We would only exclude copies of emails
that are entirely duplicated within an email thread, and each unique email
thread will be retained to fall within scope.

Request for further time under section 15AA of the FOI Act.

We seek an additional 7 days under the FOI Act to finalise the access
decision, this would result in an amended due date of 26 January 2024.  

We would be grateful for your reply by Thursday 18 January 2024.

Yours sincerely

Janelle

Adviser | FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit  Barton  ACT  2600  |  PO Box
6500  CANBERRA  ACT  2600
e. [1][email address]  w. [2]pmc.gov.au

[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0

[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...

OFFICIAL

Dear Mr Unmeopa 

We refer to your request made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
(the FOI Act) to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the
Department).

The current due date for a decision on your FOI request was 29 January
2024. Your request is being prioritised and we aim to have this to you
shortly.  As your request is now overdue, we have applied for a 15AC for
an extension of time through the OAIC.

Thank you for your patience during this time.

Regards,

Lianna | Adviser

FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country | One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 | PO Box
6500 CANBERRA ACT 2600
e. [1][email address]  w. [2]pmc.gov.au

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/

Our reference: RQ24/00569

Agency reference: 2023/313

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Francis Unmeopa

Extension of time under s 15AC

Dear Parties,

Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.

Regards,

[1][IMG]   Hannah Holswilder

Director, Freedom of Information Branch

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

Adelaide | GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001

E [2][email address]
 
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.  

[3]Subscribe to Information Matters

Notice:

The information contained in this email message and any attached files may
be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal
professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use,
disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this
email in error, please notify the sender by contacting the department's
switchboard on 1300 488 064 during business hours (8:30am - 5pm Canberra
time) and delete all copies of this transmission together with any
attachments.

References

Visible links
1. https://www.oaic.gov.au/
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/n...

OFFICIAL

FOI Reference: FOI/2023/313

Dear Francis Unmeopa

Please find attached the decision regarding your request under the Freedom
of Information Act 1982.

Yours sincerely

Janelle

Adviser | FOI Section[]

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

p. (02) 6271 5849

Ngunnawal Country, One National Circuit  Barton  ACT  2600  |  PO Box
6500  CANBERRA  ACT  2600
e. [1][email address]  w. [2]pmc.gov.au

[3]cid:image001.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0[4]cid:image002.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0

[5]cid:image003.jpg@01D78E24.FF2DAFB0 The
Department
acknowledges
and pays
respect to
the past,
present and
emerging
Elders and
Traditional
Custodians
of Country,
and the
continuation
of cultural,
spiritual
and
educational
practices of
Aboriginal
and Torres
Strait
Islander
peoples.

______________________________________________________________________ 
IMPORTANT: This message, and any attachments to it, contains information 
that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal professional or 
other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient of this message,
you 
must not review, copy, disseminate or disclose its contents to any other 
party or take action in reliance of any material contained within it. If
you 
have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately
by 
return email informing them of the mistake and delete all copies of the 
message from your computer system. 
______________________________________________________________________

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://www.pmc.gov.au/
3. https://twitter.com/pmc_gov_au
4. https://www.linkedin.com/company/departm...