Sexual abuse claims in the ADF
Dear Department of Defence,
For each of the last 5 financial years I request the following:
: The number of sexual abuse claims finalized by the ADF.
: The number of claims finalized that were found to be in favor of the victim.
: The total amount paid out by the ADF to these victims, and
: The number of ADF personnel who as perpetrators of sexual abuse were disciplined
or given an option of resigning
Yours faithfully,
Alan ASHMORE
UNCLASSIFIED
Good morning Mr Ashmore
Thank you for contacting Freedom of Information at the Department of
Defence.
We have received your email and you will be advised of the status of your
inquiry by an FOI team member soon.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information
Enterprise Reform Branch | Governance and Reform Division | Department of
Defence
e [1][email address]
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UNCLASSIFIED
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your attached FOI inquiry, dated 22 July 2020, relating to
sexual abuse claims in the ADF.
Please note your request in its current form covers a five year period,
capturing information held by the three services (Army, Air Force and
Navy), Defence Legal and the Defence Response Unit.
Taking the above into consideration, under section 24AA of the FOI Act and
for the purposes of section 24 of the FOI Act, Defence considers that a
'practical refusal reason' exists in relation to your FOI request.
Specifically, Defence considers that the work involved in processing the
request in its current form would substantially and unreasonably divert
the resources of the Defence from its other operations. In particular, a
very significant amount of resources would have to be diverted to arrange
for the required searches to be undertaken, to then review any documents
that were identified as being possibly relevant to your request. And
finally, to undertake the decision making process on any documents that
did meet the parameters of your request.
This diversion would constitute a significant drain on the resources of
the agency, and would have an unreasonable, substantial and adverse effect
in the ability of areas to conduct their normal business.
In accordance with section 24AB of the FOI Act, Defence is required to
consult with you advising of the intention to refuse access to your
request in its current form.
In accordance with paragraph 24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act, I am the nominated
person with whom you should contact with a view to agreeing to one of the
following options:
a. withdraw your request
b. revise your request; or
c. indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.
In accordance with section 24AB(9) of the FOI Act, Defence is only
required to undertake this consultation process once, and you must contact
me within 14 days to discuss.
Notwithstanding all of the above, I would suggest you provide a one year
date range with further requests submitted after completion of the first.
I encourage you to contact me so I can assist you in moving forward with
your inquiry.
Kind regards,
Matthew Ashauer | Freedom of Information
Enterprise Reform Branch | Governance and Reform Division | Department of
Defence
a CP1-6-002 Campbell Park Offices ACT 2600
t (02) 6266 3685| e [1][email address]
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
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Dear FOI,
Thank you for your reply of 30 July 2020.
Firstly I am bewildered this information is not readily available. I would have thought the information I am seeking would form part of regular reports/updates to senior management and therefore be readily available.
I am prepared, as a gesture of goodwill, to reduce my request for the last 5 years information to the last 3 years.
I now look forward to receiving the requested information within the legislated timelines. Alternatively I can ask Jacqui Lambie to seek this information at Senate Estimates where the answers will be subject to wider scrutiny.
Yours sincerely,
Alan ASHMORE
OFFICIAL
Dear Mr Ashmore
Please find attached the Decision and documents relating to Defence FOI
045/20/21. A schedule of documents is also attached.
Rights of Review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you are entitled to request a review of
this decision. Your review rights are attached.
Should you have any questions in regard to this matter please contact this
office.
Regards
Kathryn
FOI Case Management
Department of Defence
[1][email address]
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
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OFFICIAL
Dear Mr Ashmore
I refer to my email below, please find attached correspondence and updated
document in relation to your request.
Should you have any questions in regard to this matter please contact this
office.
Thank you and regards
Kathryn
FOI Case Management
Department of Defence
[1][email address]
From: Burke, Kathryn MS On Behalf Of FOI Case Management
Sent: Tuesday, 1 September 2020 10:38 AM
To: '[FOI #6507 email]'
<[2][FOI #6507 email]>
Subject: Defence FOI Request 045/20/21 – Decision and documents
[SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Dear Mr Ashmore
Please find attached the Decision and documents relating to Defence FOI
045/20/21. A schedule of documents is also attached.
Rights of Review
Under section 54 of the FOI Act, you are entitled to request a review of
this decision. Your review rights are attached.
Should you have any questions in regard to this matter please contact this
office.
Regards
Kathryn
FOI Case Management
Department of Defence
[3][email address]
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.
References
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1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[FOI #6507 email]
3. mailto:[email address]