A4 received this response (link to download and accompanying email below) to our DSS FoI request - see https://a4.org.au/node/2155.

Basically, DSS's response below says it has no record of anyone passing A4's letter to the Department (which should mean DSS, the NDIA is "the Agency"), as Assistant Minister Prentice's Office told A4 in an email on 4/12/2017. A Department representative suggested (on the telephone) that A4's letter was sent to the NDIA, not to the Department.

A4 requested the NDIA's records about this matter: see https://a4.org.au/node/2154.

Good afternoon Bob,

Please find attached the department’s decision in relation to your recent FOI request.

Kind regards

Strategic Coordination Section

Government and Executive Services Branch

Department of Social Services

DSS acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.            

Interpreting the responses

Basically, DSS says it could find no record of DSS receiving or processing A4's letter. Our conclusions are:

1. the Assistant Minister's office did not send A4's letter to DSS ... or if they did it disappeared without any trace. We regard the latter as unlikely, and the Assistant Minister's office has no process for following up its processes to ensure they happen.
2. Most likely, this means that the Assistant Minister's office lied ... or was "loose" is referring to The Agency as The Department.