Information about Model Litigant Obligation complaints
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
I make an FOI request for any information regarding Model Litigant Obligation (MLO) complaints to, and investigations conducted by, the NDIA over the past three years.
I do not seek information for individual complaints. My request encompasses any aggregate-level information held by the NDIA about the MLO complaints and investigations, including (but not limited to) the number of complaints, the type of complaints (e.g. which elements of the MLOs were alleged to have been breached), the complaint investigation process, the number of complaints upheld and dismissed, the reasons why they were upheld or dismissed, and the results of any complaints which were upheld.
The form of information I seek may include (but is not limited to) reviews, reports, briefings, and other internal correspondence.
The contact details and surnames of NDIA staff are irrelevant to my request.
Yours faithfully,
David Wright
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.
References
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7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
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9. mailto:[email address]
mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
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11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear David Wright
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 29 November 2024, made under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), for information held by the National
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).
Scope of your Request
You have requested access to:
“…I make an FOI request for any information regarding Model Litigant
Obligation (MLO) complaints to, and investigations conducted by, the NDIA
over the past three years.
I do not seek information for individual complaints. My request
encompasses any aggregate-level information held by the NDIA about the MLO
complaints and investigations, including (but not limited to) the number
of complaints, the type of complaints (e.g. which elements of the MLOs
were alleged to have been breached), the complaint investigation process,
the number of complaints upheld and dismissed, the reasons why they were
upheld or dismissed, and the results of any complaints which were upheld.
The form of information I seek may include (but is not limited to)
reviews, reports, briefings, and other internal correspondence…”
Irrelevant Information
Section 22 of the FOI Act allows an Agency to redact information from
documents if that information would reasonably be regarded as irrelevant
to a request for access.
Given the nature of your request, it does not seem that NDIA staff
members’ surnames and contact details would be relevant to you. Can you
please send me a reply email confirming that such details are irrelevant
to your request for access?
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory
period for processing your request commenced from 30 November 2024. This
30-day period expires on 30 December 2024.
The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your
agreement.
Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to
process FOI requests due to a very high volume. I am therefore seeking
your agreement to a 30-day extension of time under section 15AA of the FOI
Act. If you agree to this extension, the new due date for us to decide on
your request will be 29 January 2025.
If you do not agree and we are unable to process your request within the
30-day period, we will be deemed to have refused your request and you will
not have a right to seek internal review of that decision. You will,
however, retain your right to external review by the Australian
Information Commissioner.
Please let us know if you agree by Wednesday 11 December 2024.
Disclosure Log
Subject to certain exceptions, documents released under the FOI Act will
be published on the NDIA’s disclosure log located on our website.
If you have any concerns about the publication of the documents you have
requested, please contact me.
Next steps
Your request will be allocated to an authorised FOI decision-maker. The
decision-maker may need to contact you to discuss a range of matters,
including refining the scope of your request.
We will contact you using the email address you have provided. Please
advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or need help, please contact us
at [1][NDIA request email].
Regards
Cindy – CGN062
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Complaints Management & FOI Branch
General Counsel Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
E [2][NDIA request email]
[3]NDIA logo
[4]LGBTIQA+ rainbow graphic
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.
[5]Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags graphic
Dear Cindy,
I confirm that NDIA staff members’ surnames and contact details are irrelevant to my request for access, and that I agree to a 30-day extension of time, making the new due date for you to decide on my request 30 January 2025.
Yours sincerely,
David Wright