Evidence, research, data or any material considered in arriving at Covid-19 vaccine mandate policy
Robin Benson made this Official Information request to Auckland Council
Response to this request is long overdue. By law Auckland Council should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.
From: Robin Benson
Dear Auckland Council,
This is an official request for information pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982 ("Act").
In connection with the Auckland Council ("University") Covid-19 vaccination policy ("Policy") please provide:
1. Any and all evidence, data, research, considerations and any other relevant material relied upon or in any way contributing to formulation of and decision to adopt of the Policy in particular but without limitation to the scientific and medical basis for the Policy.
2. All communications for the period 1 October 2021 to date between the University and all the following entities concerning Covid-19 mandates and vaccination policy:
(a) the Ministry of Health
(b) the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(c) the COVID-19 Response Minister
I confirm that I meet the requirements of the Act in making this request.
Should you require evidence concerning my meeting requirements pursuant to section 12 of the Act please respond without delay outlining:
(a) what evidence you require and an email address to which such information can be sent, and
(b) the genuine and reasonable grounds for requiring such evidence.
Yours faithfully,
Robin Benson
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
Kia ora Robin,
Thank you for your request for information below.
Please could you clarify, did you mean to send this to Auckland University rather than Auckland Council?
Ngā mihi
Samantha
Samantha Sinclair | Senior Privacy & Official Information Business Partner
Governance Services | Auckland Council
show quoted sections
From: Robin Benson
Dear Official Information,
Thank you for the response.
Where I refer to university in the original request above, please consider this instead to mean Auckland Council.
Please confirm whether this is clear or not, or if you would like me to submit a new request with the correction.
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
Kia ora Robin,
Thank you that is clear.
I will get back to you if we require any further clarification.
Ngā mihi
Samantha
Samantha Sinclair | Senior Privacy & Official Information Business Partner
Governance Services | Auckland Council
show quoted sections
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
Kia ora Robin
Thank you for your request for information about Auckland Council’s
Covid-19 vaccination policy.
I have attached an information sheet on our processes and requirements
under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.
LGOIMA requires us to provide you with information no later than 20
working days after receiving your request. Your request will take longer
than usual. This is because the days commencing 20 December and ending 10
January are not counted as working days. This is explained in section 2(1)
of LGOIMA and at the Ombudsman's website
[1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
We will respond to your request as soon as possible and in any event no
later than 20 working days after the day your request was received. This
will be by 20 January 2022.
If you have further questions please feel free to contact Samantha
Sinclair ([2][email address]) on 09 301 0101,
quoting reference 8140009598.
Ngâ mihi,
The Privacy and LGOIMA team
Auckland Council
From: Robin Benson <[FYI request #17784 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 1 December 2021 1:38 pm
To: Official Information <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Evidence, research, data or any
material considered in arriving at Covid-19 vaccine mandate policy
Dear Auckland Council,
This is an official request for information pursuant to the Official
Information Act 1982 ("Act").
In connection with the Auckland Council ("University") Covid-19
vaccination policy ("Policy") please provide:
1. Any and all evidence, data, research, considerations and any other
relevant material relied upon or in any way contributing to formulation of
and decision to adopt of the Policy in particular but without limitation
to the scientific and medical basis for the Policy.
2. All communications for the period 1 October 2021 to date between the
University and all the following entities concerning Covid-19 mandates and
vaccination policy:
(a) the Ministry of Health
(b) the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(c) the COVID-19 Response Minister
I confirm that I meet the requirements of the Act in making this request.
Should you require evidence concerning my meeting requirements pursuant to
section 12 of the Act please respond without delay outlining:
(a) what evidence you require and an email address to which such
information can be sent, and
(b) the genuine and reasonable grounds for requiring such evidence.
Yours faithfully,
Robin Benson
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[3][FYI request #17784 email]
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show quoted sections
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
Kia ora Robin,
Further to my email below, please could you clarify whether you mean
Auckland Council’s policy on staff vaccination?
Or are you interested in Auckland Council’s policy In relation to our
customers and facilities?
Ngā mihi
Samantha
Samantha Sinclair | Senior Privacy & Official Information Business
Partner
Governance Services | Auckland Council
From: Samantha Sinclair <[email address]> On
Behalf Of Official Information
Sent: Wednesday, 1 December 2021 3:25 PM
To: Robin Benson <[FOI #17784 email]>
Cc: Official Information <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Official Information request - Evidence, research, data or
any material considered in arriving at Covid-19 vaccine mandate policy
Kia ora Robin,
Thank you that is clear.
I will get back to you if we require any further clarification.
Ngā mihi
Samantha
Samantha Sinclair | Senior Privacy & Official Information Business
Partner
Governance Services | Auckland Council
show quoted sections
From: Robin Benson
Dear Official Information,
Thank you for seeking clarification.
Any policy that mandates vaccination for anyone.
Please note that vague references to for example Ministry of Health announcements, commentary in media or unreferenced claims or speculation are not evidence in this context.
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
Auckland Council
Response FINAL Benson 9598.pdf
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Attachment Correspondence with MBIE Redacted.pdf
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Attachment Correspondence with MoH Redacted.pdf
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Kia ora Robin
Our response to your request for information is attached. Thank you for
your patience as we prepared this information for you.
If you have any questions, please contact me at
[email address].
Ngā mihi
Joanne Kearney
09 977 1702 / 021 195 4837
Privacy & Official Information Team
[1]Go to ourauckland.nz/greenspaces to explore Auckland’s green spaces.
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References
Visible links
1. https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt...
From: Robin Benson
Dear Auckland Council,
Thank you for the reply.
Auckland Council has not provided any fundamental evidence that underlies the Council's vaccine mandate.
At most basic this would be for example data, research or specific expert advice that validates the claim that Covid19 mRNA vaccine (Covid Vaccine) actually protects against contraction, spread, serious disease and death. This is a fundamental assumption that the Council does not appear to have validated, tested or assessed before then proceeding to undertake risk assessments with the goal of protecting council staff, contractors, suppliers and the public. Without such an assessment, all other planning and considerations are potentially compromised. In the most negative scenario where it may be shown that the Covid Vaccine might for example represent a false sense of security and/or have unacceptable health risks, the Council could be considered to have coerced staff, contractors, suppliers and the public into agreeing to the Covid Vaccine where if they had been aware of such fundamental Covid Vaccine lack of protection and/or risks, they may not have elected to have the Covid Vaccine.
Could you please either:
1. Confirm that Auckland Council did not consider any such fundamental or basis and is does not have any such material that would be used to make such an assessment, or
2. Provide the evidence as requested according to the original request i.e.
"1. Any and all evidence, data, research, considerations and any other relevant material relied upon or in any way contributing to formulation of and decision to adopt of the Policy in particular but without limitation to the scientific and medical basis for the Policy."
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
20220404 WEBSITE Vaccination policy copy as at 4Apr22.pdf
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AC Website vaccination policy documents as at 4Apr22.zip
3.7M
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Kia ora Robin
On 4 April we updated our vaccination policy, and on that day we updated
the information on our website. Some of the more detailed information
about our decision to require vaccination passes was removed to prevent
confusion. I have attached that information for you.
Ngā mihi
Joanne Kearney
Ph: 09 977 1702
Privacy & Official Information Team
Governance Services
From: Robin Benson <[FOI #17784 email]>
Sent: Monday, 4 April 2022 1:26 PM
To: Official Information <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Official Information Response - 8140009598 - Council's
Covid-19 vaccination policy
Dear Auckland Council,
Thank you for the reply.
Auckland Council has not provided any fundamental evidence that underlies
the Council's vaccine mandate.
At most basic this would be for example data, research or specific expert
advice that validates the claim that Covid19 mRNA vaccine (Covid Vaccine)
actually protects against contraction, spread, serious disease and death.
This is a fundamental assumption that the Council does not appear to have
validated, tested or assessed before then proceeding to undertake risk
assessments with the goal of protecting council staff, contractors,
suppliers and the public. Without such an assessment, all other planning
and considerations are potentially compromised. In the most negative
scenario where it may be shown that the Covid Vaccine might for example
represent a false sense of security and/or have unacceptable health risks,
the Council could be considered to have coerced staff, contractors,
suppliers and the public into agreeing to the Covid Vaccine where if they
had been aware of such fundamental Covid Vaccine lack of protection and/or
risks, they may not have elected to have the Covid Vaccine.
Could you please either:
1. Confirm that Auckland Council did not consider any such fundamental or
basis and is does not have any such material that would be used to make
such an assessment, or
2. Provide the evidence as requested according to the original request
i.e.
"1. Any and all evidence, data, research, considerations and any other
relevant material relied upon or in any way contributing to formulation of
and decision to adopt of the Policy in particular but without limitation
to the scientific and medical basis for the Policy."
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
show quoted sections
From: Robin Benson
Dear Official Information,
Thank you for the additional information.
However you are referred to my response above (see quoted text below). Please provide the information referred to. I am requesting fundamental evidence for the Council's vaccine mandate.
> Auckland Council has not provided any fundamental evidence that underlies the Council's vaccine mandate.
> At most basic this would be for example data, research or specific expert advice that validates the claim that Covid19 mRNA vaccine (Covid Vaccine)
> actually protects against contraction, spread, serious disease and death. This is a fundamental assumption that the Council does not appear to have
> validated, tested or assessed before then proceeding to undertake risk assessments with the goal of protecting council staff, contractors, suppliers and
> the public. Without such an assessment, all other planning and considerations are potentially compromised. In the most negative scenario where it may
> be shown that the Covid Vaccine might for example represent a false sense of security and/or have unacceptable health risks, the Council could be
> considered to have coerced staff, contractors, suppliers and the public into agreeing to the Covid Vaccine where if they had been aware of such
> fundamental Covid Vaccine lack of protection and/or risks, they may not have elected to have the Covid Vaccine.
> Could you please either:
> 1. Confirm that Auckland Council did not consider any such fundamental or basis and is does not have any such material that would be used to make
> such an assessment, or
> 2. Provide the evidence as requested according to the original request i.e.
> "1. Any and all evidence, data, research, considerations and any other relevant material relied upon or in any way contributing to formulation of and
> decision to adopt of the Policy in particular but without limitation to the scientific and medical basis for the Policy."
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
From: Official Information
Auckland Council
Dear Robin,
Auckland Council relied on information from a range of trusted sources,
such as the Ministry of Health, to develop the council’s position relating
to covid-19 vaccination. Those sources are referenced within the documents
already provided to you, for example you were previously provided with a
link to the Ministry of Health website, containing covid-19 resources.
We consider that we have answered your requests for information. If you
are unhappy with our responses you are able to seek a review with the
Office of the Ombudsman,
[1]https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/get-...
Ngā mihi
Privacy & Official Information Team
Governance Services
show quoted sections
From: Robin Benson
Dear Official Information,
Thank you for your response.
You wrote:
"Auckland Council relied on information from a range of trusted sources,
such as the Ministry of Health, to develop the council’s position relating
to covid-19 vaccination. Those sources are referenced within the documents
already provided to you, for example you were previously provided with a
link to the Ministry of Health website, containing covid-19 resources."
I have asked for the specific evidence that the Council relied upon. Not websites. Not "resources". Not vague references to "a range of trusted sources".
Decisions concerning mandating medical treatments have such profound health implications. The Council has a duty of care to undertake fundamental assessment of such treatments prior to mandating them.
You have provided some material none of which can form the basis of an assessment of whether the mRNA covid vaccine is appropriate to mandate or not.
Please either:
1. Provide the evidence as requested, or
2. Confirm the Council has no evidence of assessment of the mRNA vaccine, or
3. Refuse my request.
Yours sincerely,
Robin Benson
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