The Australian and United States Governments joint statements on intelligence sharing
Dear Attorney-General's Department,
I request an unredacted copy of the signed joint statements between the Australian and United States Governments regarding intelligence sharing, signed by former Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
Applicable statements;
- Joint Statement on Countering Transnational Crime, Terrorism and Violent Extremism. Canberra, 4th May 2012
- Joint Statement on Collaborative Targeting. Canberra, 4th May 2012
- Joint Statement on Supply Chain Security. Canberra, 4th May 2012
- Joint Statement on Frequent Traveller Facilitation. Canberra, 4th May 2012
- Joint Statement on Cyber Security. Washington, 18th May 2012
And any other joint statements between the Australian Attorney-General Department and the United States Department of Homeland security relating to information sharing between October 2010 and June 2013.
Yours faithfully,
Matthew Watt
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UNCLASSIFIED
13/9716
3 July 2013
Mr Matthew Watt
Email: [FOI #242 email]
Dear Mr Watt
Freedom of Information Request no. FOI13/079
I refer to your request for access to documents relating to intelligence sharing under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. I have taken your request to be for:
An unredacted copy of the signed joint statements between the Australian and United States Governments regarding intelligence sharing, signed by former Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.
We received your request on 22 June 2013 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 22 July 2013. 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.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be published online on our disclosure log http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtection..., subject to certain exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where this would be unreasonable.)
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact. If you have any questions, please contact the following officer:
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Kind Regards
FOI Contact Officer
Freedom of Information and Privacy Section | Office of Corporate Counsel Attorney-General's Department | 3 - 5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
A: [AGD request email]
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Watt
AGD FOI matter no. 13/079
Re: extension of time under s 15AA of the FOI Act
I am writing to seek your agreement to an extension of time of up to 30 days (until Wednesday 21 August 2013), under s 15AA of the FOI Act, to complete the processing of your FOI request for documents concerning joint statements on intelligence sharing.
Your written agreement by return e-mail would be appreciated.
If granted, the Department will inform the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, in accordance with s 15AA of the FOI Act.
Regards,
FOI & Privacy Section
Attorney-General's Department
[AGD request email]
Dear FOI Requests,
In response to your request for an extension of time to privide the requested documents, I would like the reasons for the delay to be explained before considering accepting your request.
The requested documents existance cannot be disputed as the former attorney general Nicola Roxon released press releases stating the dates the documents were signed.
There is not a huge amount of documents to be processed or search for keywords or catagorised communications, these are well documented agreements that would be within hands reach of attorney general department staff.
Please advise if your intention to delay the release of these documents is to have the documents censored by a United States department such as the Department of Homeland Security whom co-signed the agreement.
At this stage I refuse the departments request for an extension of time as it has not been justified.
Yours sincerely,
Matthew Watt
UNCLASSIFIED
Mr Watt
I refer to your FOI request of 22 June 2013 with this Department.
The FOI decision maker's determination is attached, along with a relevant document - released in full.
With regards,
AGD FOI & Privacy
[email address]