Ethics framework for use of algorithms in NDIS plan funding assessments
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
Please provide the following information under the Freedom of Information Act:
* The date algorithms began being used by the NDIA to assess participants' NDIS plan funding.
* The document that lays out the ethics framework for the use of algorithms in assessing participants' NDIS plan funding. (If there have been multiple official versions of this document, please provide me with all of them, with the date of their creation clearly marked.)
Please note, if such a document does not exist, please do not create one under section 16 of the FOI Act. Instead, please confirm that an ethical framework does not exist.
For context:
"There was almost universal criticism of the over-reach of the actuarial function in the design of the algorithms and on evidence at Senate hearings, the NDIA shockingly stumbled over whether or not there was even an ethics framework."
From the news article titled "The Hunger Games created by NDIS algorithms" written by Marie Johnson, published May 11, 2022 by InnovationAus.
Link: https://www.innovationaus.com/the-hunger...
Yours faithfully,
Imogen
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Kind regards
Freedom of Information team
Parliamentary, Ministerial & FOI Branch
Government
National Disability Insurance Agency
Email: [4][NDIA request email]
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Dear Imogen
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 15 May 2022, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for copies of documents held by the
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Scope of your request
You have requested access to the following documents about the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):
* The date algorithms began being used by the NDIA to assess participants'
NDIS plan funding.
* The document that lays out the ethics framework for the use of
algorithms in assessing participants' NDIS plan funding. (If there have
been multiple official versions of this document, please provide me with
all of them, with the date of their creation clearly marked.)
Processing timeframes
A 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 16
May 2022 in accordance with section 15(2A)(c) of the FOI Act. You should,
therefore, expect a decision from us by 14 June 2022.
Due to the amount of consults with NDIA line areas we are seeking your
agreement to extend the processing time by an additional 15 days under
section 15AA of the FOI Act. If you agree to this extension, you can
expect to receive a decision from us on or before 29 June 2022.
If you do not agree to the proposed extension of time, or you do not
provide a response to our request, we may need to seek an extension of
time with the Information Commissioner under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
Therefore, we ask that you please provide a response by 3 June 2022.
This period may be extended if we need to consult with third parties or
for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Charges
We may apply a processing charge to your request and will advise you as
soon as practicable if a charge is payable.
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Information released under the FOI Act may be published on the NDIA’s
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If you have any concerns about the publication of information you have
requested, please contact us.
Further help
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or need
help.
We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if
you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Officer
Parliamentary, Ministerial & FOI Branch
Government Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [2][NDIA request email]
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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
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2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear foi,
I agreed to your 14 day extension and the new due date was 29 June 2022. However, that date has now passed and I have not received any contact from you. Please advise when you will provide the information I requested. If I don't hear from you in 7 days I will have no other option except to notify the Information Commissioner that you have not supplied the requested information in the legislated timeframe.
Yours sincerely,
Imogen
Dear Imogen
Thank you for your request for information.
Please find attached correspondence and documents in relation to your
request. If you require these in a different format, please let us know.
Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.
Thank you.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Officer
Parliamentary, Ministerial and FOI Branch
Government Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E: [2][NDIA request email]
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IMPORTANT: This e-mail is for the use of the intended recipient only and
may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable and/or
subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure,
dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon,
this information is prohibited and may result in severe penalties. If you
have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender immediately
and delete all electronic and hard copies of this transmission together
with any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this
e-mail
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References
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2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
4. https://intranet.ndiastaff.ndia.gov.au/h...