Government austerity measures
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting any document, email, file note or other information from the period of Jan 1 2021 to now which contains the term 'austerity'.
Yours faithfully,
Rob
Thank you for your email to the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team.
Please note: due to a high volume of requests, our ability to respond to
you in a timely manner may be affected. We will action your request as
soon as possible and will endeavour to process your matter within the
legislative deadlines. We may need to seek your agreement to an extension
of time. We appreciate your understanding if this is required.
Participant Information
Did you know the NDIA has other ways to access the documents and
information that we hold?
Participants, Guardians and Nominees can obtain copies of some participant
information through our National Contact Centre (NCC). For more
information about what’s available through the NCC, please contact 1800
800 110.
Please visit our [1]Access to Information webpage to find out more about
accessing information through:
* The [2]Participant Information Access (PIA) scheme
* The [3]Information Publication Scheme (IPS)
* The [4]myplace portal for participants
* The [5]myplace portal for providers
Access to Data
You can also request data and statistics. Please visit our [6]Data and
insights webpage page for further information.
If you are able to obtain your information from a source listed above, you
can withdraw your FOI request by emailing [7][NDIA request email]
Further Information
Information about how to make an FOI request can be found on our website:
[8]Freedom of Information
Should you have a query unrelated to FOI, please contact the Agency by
email at [9][email address] or via webchat at [10]ndis.gov.au.
Alternatively, you can also contact us by phoning 1800 800 110.
Kind regards
Freedom of Information Team
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [11][NDIA request email]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
**********************************************************************
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
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
2. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
3. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
4. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
5. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
6. https://data.ndis.gov.au/
https://data.ndis.gov.au/
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
9. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Good morning Rob
Thank you for your email below.
Before we can accept and register this as a valid FOI request, I am
hoping, due to the broad nature of your request, that you can provide more
information or clarity around documents you are seeking access to, as a
search on a single word potentially:
* is unlikely to necessarily locate documents of interest;
* is likely to return an extremely large number of documents that would
likely lead to an unreasonable diversion of resources scenario; or
* would not be a searchable scope.
As a suggestion, are you able to provide some more information around the
class of documents you are seeking access to, for example all documents of
a specified class; or relating to a particular subject matter. Once you
have identified this, it may then be possible to provide you with an
explanation of the type of information contained within those documents to
assist you on narrowing the scope of your request.
Please feel free to reach out for assistance. I am more than happy to
discuss with you by telephone if this is your preference.
I look forward to a response from you by 28 June 2024.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Stewart <[FOI #11434 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 2:27 PM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Government austerity measures
[You don't often get email from
[3][FOI #11434 email]. Learn why this is
important at [4]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting any document, email, file note or other information from
the period of Jan 1 2021 to now which contains the term 'austerity'.
Yours faithfully,
Rob
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #11434 email]
Is [6][NDIA request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to National Disability Insurance Agency? If so, please contact us
using this form:
[7]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[8]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
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
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
4. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
5. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
6. mailto:[NDIA request email]
7. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
8. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Dear foi,
Thank you for your response. I seek any and all documents relating to any programs, initiatives or pilots that relate to the particular subject matter of austerity measures - for example, cost cutting. Sustainability is not a good keyword to use to search. The initiatives are likely to be the use of the Disabled Support for Older Adults program as a pilot to test cost cutting in the NDIS, or the use of stated supports in some areas. I am looking for any evidence that the NDIA has previously implemented changes to the NDIS that have impacted on choice and control for people with disability and reduced their supports and services.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
Good afternoon Rob
Please see attached correspondence regarding your matter as referenced
above.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Stewart <[FOI #11434 email]>
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2024 12:08 PM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information request - Government austerity
measures [SEC=OFFICIAL]
[You don't often get email from
[3][FOI #11434 email]. Learn why this is
important at [4]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]
Dear foi,
Thank you for your response. I seek any and all documents relating to any
programs, initiatives or pilots that relate to the particular subject
matter of austerity measures - for example, cost cutting. Sustainability
is not a good keyword to use to search. The initiatives are likely to be
the use of the Disabled Support for Older Adults program as a pilot to
test cost cutting in the NDIS, or the use of stated supports in some
areas. I am looking for any evidence that the NDIA has previously
implemented changes to the NDIS that have impacted on choice and control
for people with disability and reduced their supports and services.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
-----Original Message-----
Good morning Rob
Thank you for your email below.
Before we can accept and register this as a valid FOI request, I am
hoping, due to the broad nature of your request, that you can provide more
information or clarity around documents you are seeking access to, as a
search on a single word potentially:
* is unlikely to necessarily locate documents of interest;
* is likely to return an extremely large number of documents that would
likely lead to an unreasonable diversion of resources scenario; or
* would not be a searchable scope.
As a suggestion, are you able to provide some more information around the
class of documents you are seeking access to, for example all documents of
a specified class; or relating to a particular subject matter. Once you
have identified this, it may then be possible to provide you with an
explanation of the type of information contained within those documents to
assist you on narrowing the scope of your request.
Please feel free to reach out for assistance. I am more than happy to
discuss with you by telephone if this is your preference.
I look forward to a response from you by 28 June 2024.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #11434 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[6]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
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
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
4. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
5. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
6. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Dear foi,
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting access to documents, emails, file notes, or other information from the period of January 1, 2021, to the present, which contain the terms 'austerity,' 'cost-cutting,' or 'sustainability measures,' specifically related to the implementation of cost-cutting or sustainability measures in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
To narrow down the scope, I am particularly interested in documents that:
Discuss or detail the Disabled Support for Older Adults program and its use as a pilot for cost-cutting measures.
Are linked to changes as described in the NDIS Amendment Bill, including information about S48s, preferred providers and stated supports
Address the use of stated supports as part of cost reduction initiatives.
Provide evidence of changes to the NDIS that have impacted the choice and control of people with disabilities, resulting in a reduction of their supports and services.
If there are specific programs or initiatives related to austerity measures, cost-cutting, or sustainability measures that have been implemented or proposed, please include documents related to those as well.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
Good afternoon Rob
Thank you again for your email below. I again wish to confirm that at
present, you have not clarified your scope in a way to remove the
practical refusal reason. I note you have now asked for the following
information:
Discuss or detail the Disabled Support for Older Adults program and its
use as a pilot for cost-cutting measures.
Please be aware that this is a program managed by the Department of Health
and Aged Care. For further information please see the following link:
[1]https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/disab....
You may like to consider lodging an FOI application direct to this agency.
In addition, it also appears that you have broadened your scope rather
than clarified. Please see below my response to your new search
parameters:
Parameter 1
Are linked to changes as described in the NDIS Amendment Bill, including
information about S48s, preferred providers and stated supports
Can you please explain what you mean as this is not clear and appears to
be the start of a question?
Parameter 2
Address the use of stated supports as part of cost reduction initiatives
Can you please explain and specify ‘stated supports’.
Parameter 3
Provide evidence of changes to the NDIS that have impacted the choice and
control of people with disabilities, resulting in a reduction of their
supports and services
Please clarify what changes you are referring to and what supports you are
referring to - more detail is required around this.
Parameter 4
If there are specific programs or initiatives related to austerity
measures, cost-cutting, or sustainability measures that have been
implemented or proposed, please include documents related to those as well
In response to this search parameter, I note that you have again
referenced the search terms ‘austerity’ and ‘sustainability’ – I refer you
back to my letter of 2 July 2024 where I have addressed these terms –
please see below taken from this letter:
I note in your email of 20 June 2024 that you stated that “sustainability
is not a good keyword search” and I advise that equally “austerity
measures” is equally too broad for the agency to commence searches for
documents.
Additionally, I advise we cannot implement a program as we still need to
make decisions in accordance with the act and the rules. We have the
guidance staff to make the decisions and we have strengthened guidance
over time to ensure delegates are making informed decisions.
I will wait for your response noting you still have until 16 July 2024 to
clarify your scope and remove the practical refusal reason.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [2][NDIA request email]
[3][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Stewart <[FOI #11434 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 3:40 PM
To: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI23/24-1367-Communication-Consultation [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear foi,
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting access to documents, emails, file notes, or other
information from the period of January 1, 2021, to the present, which
contain the terms 'austerity,' 'cost-cutting,' or 'sustainability
measures,' specifically related to the implementation of cost-cutting or
sustainability measures in the National Disability Insurance Scheme
(NDIS).
To narrow down the scope, I am particularly interested in documents that:
Discuss or detail the Disabled Support for Older Adults program and its
use as a pilot for cost-cutting measures.
Are linked to changes as described in the NDIS Amendment Bill, including
information about S48s, preferred providers and stated supports
Address the use of stated supports as part of cost reduction initiatives.
Provide evidence of changes to the NDIS that have impacted the choice and
control of people with disabilities, resulting in a reduction of their
supports and services.
If there are specific programs or initiatives related to austerity
measures, cost-cutting, or sustainability measures that have been
implemented or proposed, please include documents related to those as
well.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Rob
Please see attached correspondence regarding your matter as referenced
above.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[4][FOI #11434 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[5]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
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
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/disab...
2. mailto:[NDIA request email]
3. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
4. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
5. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Good morning Rob
This is a courtesy email to advise as you did not respond by 16 July 2024
and remove the practical refusal reason, it is taken that you have
withdrawn your request. I advise I have now finalised this matter as
withdrawn.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
_____________________________________________
From: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2024 2:48 PM
To: 'Rob Stewart' <[FOI #11434 email]>
Cc: foi <[NDIA request email]>
Subject: RE: FOI23/24-1367-Communication-Consultation [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Good afternoon Rob
Thank you again for your email below. I again wish to confirm that at
present, you have not clarified your scope in a way to remove the
practical refusal reason. I note you have now asked for the following
information:
Discuss or detail the Disabled Support for Older Adults program and its
use as a pilot for cost-cutting measures.
Please be aware that this is a program managed by the Department of Health
and Aged Care. For further information please see the following link:
[3]https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/disab....
You may like to consider lodging an FOI application direct to this agency.
In addition, it also appears that you have broadened your scope rather
than clarified. Please see below my response to your new search
parameters:
Parameter 1
Are linked to changes as described in the NDIS Amendment Bill, including
information about S48s, preferred providers and stated supports
Can you please explain what you mean as this is not clear and appears to
be the start of a question?
Parameter 2
Address the use of stated supports as part of cost reduction initiatives
Can you please explain and specify ‘stated supports’.
Parameter 3
Provide evidence of changes to the NDIS that have impacted the choice and
control of people with disabilities, resulting in a reduction of their
supports and services
Please clarify what changes you are referring to and what supports you are
referring to - more detail is required around this.
Parameter 4
If there are specific programs or initiatives related to austerity
measures, cost-cutting, or sustainability measures that have been
implemented or proposed, please include documents related to those as well
In response to this search parameter, I note that you have again
referenced the search terms ‘austerity’ and ‘sustainability’ – I refer you
back to my letter of 2 July 2024 where I have addressed these terms –
please see below taken from this letter:
I note in your email of 20 June 2024 that you stated that “sustainability
is not a good keyword search” and I advise that equally “austerity
measures” is equally too broad for the agency to commence searches for
documents.
Additionally, I advise we cannot implement a program as we still need to
make decisions in accordance with the act and the rules. We have the
guidance staff to make the decisions and we have strengthened guidance
over time to ensure delegates are making informed decisions.
I will wait for your response noting you still have until 16 July 2024 to
clarify your scope and remove the practical refusal reason.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [4][NDIA request email]
[5][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Stewart <[6][FOI #11434 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 3:40 PM
To: foi <[7][NDIA request email]>
Subject: Re: FOI23/24-1367-Communication-Consultation [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Dear foi,
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I am requesting access to documents, emails, file notes, or other
information from the period of January 1, 2021, to the present, which
contain the terms 'austerity,' 'cost-cutting,' or 'sustainability
measures,' specifically related to the implementation of cost-cutting or
sustainability measures in the National Disability Insurance Scheme
(NDIS).
To narrow down the scope, I am particularly interested in documents that:
Discuss or detail the Disabled Support for Older Adults program and its
use as a pilot for cost-cutting measures.
Are linked to changes as described in the NDIS Amendment Bill, including
information about S48s, preferred providers and stated supports
Address the use of stated supports as part of cost reduction initiatives.
Provide evidence of changes to the NDIS that have impacted the choice and
control of people with disabilities, resulting in a reduction of their
supports and services.
If there are specific programs or initiatives related to austerity
measures, cost-cutting, or sustainability measures that have been
implemented or proposed, please include documents related to those as
well.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
Yours sincerely,
Rob Stewart
-----Original Message-----
Good afternoon Rob
Please see attached correspondence regarding your matter as referenced
above.
Kind regards
Jennifer (JFD472)
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Government, Risk & Legal – Complaints Management and FOI
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T: (07) 1800 800 110
E: [1][NDIA request email]
[2][IMG]
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians 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 past, present
and emerging.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[8][FOI #11434 email]
This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:
[9]https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
**********************************************************************
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
**********************************************************************
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[NDIA request email]
2. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
3. https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/disab...
4. mailto:[NDIA request email]
5. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...
6. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. mailto:[FOI #11434 email]
9. https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlo...