Statement of Reasons for Covid-19 Response

Sam Mostyn made this Freedom of Information request to Department of Health

This request has been closed to new correspondence from the public body. Contact us if you think it ought be re-opened.

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department of Health,

I am requesting a statement of reasons for the Federal Government's response to the Covid-19 disease.

I am requesting the scientific evidence that proved to the government that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes the Covid-19 disease. Specifically, I am requesting the evidence that demonstrated that an isolate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (separated from all non-identical particles) causes the Covid-19 disease in an organism or pure tissue culture.

If this information was not held by the Government, I am requesting a statement of reasons to explain why the government proceeded with a Public Health Order designed to combat a contagious disease without having evidence of a contagious disease.

Yours faithfully,

Sam Mostyn

FOI, Department of Health

Good afternoon

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST – NOTIFICATION OF RECEIPT

 

I am writing to notify you that the Department of Health (department)
received your request on 1 November 2021 for access to documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) being:

 

            1. I am requesting a statement of reasons for the Federal
Government's response to the Covid-19 disease.

            2. I am requesting the scientific evidence that proved to the
government that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes the Covid-19 disease.
Specifically, I am requesting the evidence that demonstrated that an   
isolate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (separated from all non-identical
particles) causes the Covid-19 disease in an organism or pure tissue
culture.

            3. If this information was not held by the Government, I am
requesting a statement of reasons to explain why the government proceeded
with a Public Health Order designed to combat a contagious              
disease without having evidence of a contagious disease.

 

The statutory timeframe for processing your request is 30 calendar days
within which a decision on access to the requested documents is to be
notified.

 

The department may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents.  If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.

 

Unless you advise otherwise, draft and duplicate documents and
Commonwealth employee names and contact details below Senior Executive
Service level and mobile telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded
from the scope of your request under s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act.

 

You can contact the FOI Unit via email at [1][email address], should you
have any questions.

 

Kind regards

 

 

FOI Officer

Freedom of Information Section

 

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Australian Government Department of Health

E: [2][Health request email] 

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

 

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

 

show quoted sections

FOI, Department of Health

3 Attachments

Dear Mr Mostyn

 

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your Freedom of
Information request to the Department of Health.

 

Kind regards

FOI Case Officer

 

 

Legal Advice & Legislation Branch

Legal & Assurance Division |  Corporate Operations Group

Australian Government Department of Health

T: 02 6289 1666  | E: [1][Health request email] 

GPO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

 

The Department of Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of
Australia and their continued connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to all Elders past and present. 

 

If you receive this email in error, please delete it and contact the
sender immediately.

 

"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information. 
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."

References

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