Senior management reactions to the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism
Dear Australian Broadcasting Corporation,
I request access to the following documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982:
1. Internal communications (including, but not limited to, emails, memos, meeting minutes, and other correspondence) among ABC leadership and senior management concerning their responses to the findings of the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism. Specifically, I am interested in documents that capture:
- Initial reactions to the content of the report.
- Discussions regarding the potential impact of the report on ABC’s public image.
- Any plans, strategies, or actions proposed or taken in response to the report's findings.
I understand that this request may cover a broad range of documents and am open to discussing ways to refine or narrow the scope to facilitate processing.
Yours faithfully,
CR
ABC FOI 202425-050
Dear CR
The ABC acknowledges receipt of your FOI request, attached, sent on 4
October 2024 seeking access under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information
Act (1982) to:
1. Internal communications (including, but not limited to, emails, memos,
meeting minutes, and other correspondence) among ABC leadership and
senior management concerning their responses to the findings of the
Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff
who Experience Racism. Specifically, I am interested in documents that
capture:
- [A] Initial reactions to the content of the report.
- [B] Discussions regarding the potential impact of the report on ABC’s
public image.
- [C] Any plans, strategies, or actions proposed or taken in response
to the report's findings.
I understand that this request may cover a broad range of documents and am
open to discussing ways to refine or narrow the scope to facilitate
processing.
Thank you for confirming you may be happy to refine the scope of your
request.
As there are 3 subparagraphs above (numbered A to C) – can you let us know
if you are more interested in 1 or 2 of these points as opposed to all 3
from the outset?
A decision on your request is due to by Monday 4 November 2024, subject to
any extensions of time for consultation or by agreement.
If the ABC is required to consult with persons external to the ABC, are
you happy to be identified as the FOI applicant? If so, please let us know
by return email. It is optional to share your name (or to say it is on
behalf of Ch 7).
By making a FOI request, you are providing personal information to the
ABC. The ABC manages personal information in accordance with its Privacy
Policy - available at [1]ABC Privacy Policy – ABC Help - Australian
Broadcasting Corporation Help Centre . Personal information may be
disclosed in the course of processing this request, such as for the
purposes of consultation or internal reporting.
Can you please also let us know if you would be happy to agree an
extension of time under s 15AA of the FOI Act as the ABC FOI team is
managing multiple files due close together in the coming month. If so a
maximum of 30 days can be agreed.
Many thanks,
ABC FOI team
13 9994
This email, including any attachments, is intended only for the addressee.
It is confidential and may contain privileged information. You should not
read, copy, use or disclose it, or take any other action in reliance of
the information contained in this email, without authorisation. If you
have received the email in error, please immediately let the sender know
by separate email or telephone and delete the email from your system.
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Dear ABC FOI Team,
To help facilitate the processing of my request, I have decided to remove part B and revise part C as follows:
- [C] Actions proposed or taken in response to the release of the report.
To clarify part C, I am not seeking information regarding ABC's long-term goals or commitments in response to the findings of the report. Instead, I am specifically requesting details on the immediate actions taken as a result of the report's release. This may include, for example, the drafting of a press release, an apology, internal employee communications, preparation for a media interview (such as drafting a speech), consultation with PR and crisis management experts, etc.
I hope this clarification helps. Please let me know if you require any further information.
Additionally, I consent to being identified as the FOI applicant. You may refer to me as "CR" on the transparency website Right to Know.
Lastly, I consent to a 14-day extension.
Thank you for your prompt processing.
Yours sincerely,
CR
ABC FOI 202425-050
Good afternoon CR
Thank you for the return email below and apologies for the delay in responding, our team is managing a large workload at present.
With your agreement to a s 15AA extension of time, a decision on your request is currently due by Monday 18 November.
Regarding the clarity of the scope provided previously, would you please confirm the revised request is seeking:
1. Internal communications (including, but not limited to, emails, memos, meeting minutes, and other correspondence) among ABC leadership an senior management concerning their responses to the findings of the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism. Specifically, I am interested in documents that capture:
- [A] Initial reactions to the content of the report.
- [B] *removed by agreement*
- [C] details on the immediate actions taken as a result of the report's release. This may include, for example, the drafting of a press release, an apology, internal employee communications, preparation for a media interview (such as drafting a speech), consultation with PR and crisis management experts, etc. (for context: I am not seeking information regarding ABC's long-term goals or commitments in response to the findings of the report.)
Due to the competing demands of our team, the ABC will unfortunately not be able to finlaise and issue the decision by Monday. Under s 15AA, a further 16 days can be agreed as an extension of time for processing. This would mean a decision would be due to be issued by Wednesday 4 December 2024.
Please let us know if you may be happy to agree to a further extension of time. This would avoid the decision becoming a deemed refusal.
We thank you for your consideration and patience.
Many thanks,
ABC FOI team
13 9994
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians
and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
This email, including any attachments, is intended only for the addressee. It is confidential and may contain privileged information. You should not read, copy, use or disclose it, or take any other action in reliance of the information contained in this email, without authorisation. If you have received the email in error, please immediately let the sender know by separate email or telephone and delete the email from your system.
-----Original Message-----
From: CR <[FOI #12139 email]>
Sent: Saturday, 19 October 2024 12:26 AM
To: FOI ABC <[ABC request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI 050 - Acknowledgement of request [ABC-LEGAL.FID104196]
Dear ABC FOI Team,
To help facilitate the processing of my request, I have decided to remove part B and revise part C as follows:
- [C] Actions proposed or taken in response to the release of the report.
To clarify part C, I am not seeking information regarding ABC's long-term goals or commitments in response to the findings of the report. Instead, I am specifically requesting details on the immediate actions taken as a result of the report's release. This may include, for example, the drafting of a press release, an apology, internal employee communications, preparation for a media interview (such as drafting a speech), consultation with PR and crisis management experts, etc.
I hope this clarification helps. Please let me know if you require any further information.
Additionally, I consent to being identified as the FOI applicant. You may refer to me as "CR" on the transparency website Right to Know.
Lastly, I consent to a 14-day extension.
Thank you for your prompt processing.
Yours sincerely,
CR
-----Original Message-----
ABC FOI 202425-050
Dear CR
The ABC acknowledges receipt of your FOI request, attached, sent on 4 October 2024 seeking access under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act (1982) to:
1. Internal communications (including, but not limited to, emails, memos, meeting minutes, and other correspondence) among ABC leadership and senior management concerning their responses to the findings of the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism. Specifically, I am interested in documents that
capture:
- [A] Initial reactions to the content of the report.
- [B] Discussions regarding the potential impact of the report on ABC’s public image.
- [C] Any plans, strategies, or actions proposed or taken in response to the report's findings.
I understand that this request may cover a broad range of documents and am open to discussing ways to refine or narrow the scope to facilitate processing.
Thank you for confirming you may be happy to refine the scope of your request.
As there are 3 subparagraphs above (numbered A to C) – can you let us know if you are more interested in 1 or 2 of these points as opposed to all 3 from the outset?
A decision on your request is due to by Monday 4 November 2024, subject to any extensions of time for consultation or by agreement.
If the ABC is required to consult with persons external to the ABC, are you happy to be identified as the FOI applicant? If so, please let us know by return email. It is optional to share your name (or to say it is on behalf of Ch 7).
By making a FOI request, you are providing personal information to the ABC. The ABC manages personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy - available at [1]ABC Privacy Policy – ABC Help - Australian Broadcasting Corporation Help Centre . Personal information may be disclosed in the course of processing this request, such as for the purposes of consultation or internal reporting.
Can you please also let us know if you would be happy to agree an extension of time under s 15AA of the FOI Act as the ABC FOI team is managing multiple files due close together in the coming month. If so a maximum of 30 days can be agreed.
Many thanks,
ABC FOI team
13 9994
This email, including any attachments, is intended only for the addressee.
It is confidential and may contain privileged information. You should not read, copy, use or disclose it, or take any other action in reliance of the information contained in this email, without authorisation. If you have received the email in error, please immediately let the sender know by separate email or telephone and delete the email from your system.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #12139 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:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www....
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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Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
The information contained in this email and any attachment is confidential and may contain legally privileged or copyright material. It is intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are not permitted to disseminate, distribute or copy this email or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. The ABC does not represent or warrant that this transmission is secure or virus free. Before opening any attachment you should check for viruses. The ABC's liability is limited to resupplying any email and attachments.
Dear ABC FOI Team,
I agree with your interpretation of the scope and to the extension.
Yours sincerely,
CR
Thank you kindly, we really appreciate it
Many thanks,
ABC FOI team
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians
and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
This email, including any attachments, is intended only for the addressee. It is confidential and may contain privileged information. You should not read, copy, use or disclose it, or take any other action in reliance of the information contained in this email, without authorisation. If you have received the email in error, please immediately let the sender know by separate email or telephone and delete the email from your system.
-----Original Message-----
From: CR <[FOI #12139 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 14 November 2024 6:48 PM
To: FOI ABC <[ABC request email]>
Subject: RE: FOI 050 - Scope clarity and s 15AA EOT request [ABC-LEGAL.FID104196]
Dear ABC FOI Team,
I agree with your interpretation of the scope and to the extension.
Yours sincerely,
CR
-----Original Message-----
ABC FOI 202425-050
Good afternoon CR
Thank you for the return email below and apologies for the delay in responding, our team is managing a large workload at present.
With your agreement to a s 15AA extension of time, a decision on your request is currently due by Monday 18 November.
Regarding the clarity of the scope provided previously, would you please confirm the revised request is seeking:
1. Internal communications (including, but not limited to, emails, memos, meeting minutes, and other correspondence) among ABC leadership an senior management concerning their responses to the findings of the Independent Review into ABC Systems and Processes in Support of Staff who Experience Racism. Specifically, I am interested in documents that capture:
- [A] Initial reactions to the content of the report.
- [B] *removed by agreement*
- [C] details on the immediate actions taken as a result of the report's release. This may include, for example, the drafting of a press release, an apology, internal employee communications, preparation for a media interview (such as drafting a speech), consultation with PR and crisis management experts, etc. (for context: I am not seeking information regarding ABC's long-term goals or commitments in response to the findings of the report.)
Due to the competing demands of our team, the ABC will unfortunately not be able to finlaise and issue the decision by Monday. Under s 15AA, a further 16 days can be agreed as an extension of time for processing. This would mean a decision would be due to be issued by Wednesday 4 December 2024.
Please let us know if you may be happy to agree to a further extension of time. This would avoid the decision becoming a deemed refusal.
We thank you for your consideration and patience.
Many thanks,
ABC FOI team
13 9994
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
This email, including any attachments, is intended only for the addressee. It is confidential and may contain privileged information. You should not read, copy, use or disclose it, or take any other action in reliance of the information contained in this email, without authorisation. If you have received the email in error, please immediately let the sender know by separate email or telephone and delete the email from your system.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #12139 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:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www....
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
The information contained in this email and any attachment is confidential and may contain legally privileged or copyright material. It is intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are not permitted to disseminate, distribute or copy this email or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. The ABC does not represent or warrant that this transmission is secure or virus free. Before opening any attachment you should check for viruses. The ABC's liability is limited to resupplying any email and attachments.