Information provided to the Australian Newspaper
Dear National Disability Insurance Agency,
On 21 and 22 March 2025, The Australian newspaper published an article by Natasha Robinson entitled 'NDIS says no to giving Finley new voice'.
The article contains the following quote:
"The NDIS spent almost $124m on legal services in the two years up to June 2024, though this was a significant reduction on previous years. Not all of this legal expense relates to defending ART cases. The NDIA says its expenditure on briefing external law firms has recently substantially decreased."
Please provide:
1) A copy of the full correspondence between the NDIA and the Australian newspaper in the leadup to this article (presumably this correspondence was with Natasha Robinson, and/or one of her colleagues, who had submitted media inquires to the NDIA).
2) The specific data held by the NDIA which shows that its 'expenditure on briefing external law firms has recently substantially decreased.'
Yours faithfully,
David Wright
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(NDIA) Freedom of Information (FOI) team.
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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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1. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
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8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
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10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]
Dear David Wright
Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement
Thank you for your request of 24 March 2025, 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:
“ On 21 and 22 March 2025, The Australian newspaper published an article by Natasha Robinson entitled 'NDIS says no to giving Finley new voice'.
The article contains the following quote:
"The NDIS spent almost $124m on legal services in the two years up to June 2024, though this was a significant reduction on previous years. Not all of this legal expense relates to defending ART cases. The NDIA says its expenditure on briefing external law firms has recently substantially decreased."
Please provide:
1) A copy of the full correspondence between the NDIA and the Australian newspaper in the leadup to this article (presumably this correspondence was with Natasha Robinson, and/or one of her colleagues, who had submitted media inquires to the NDIA).
2) The specific data held by the NDIA which shows that its 'expenditure on briefing external law firms has recently substantially decreased.'”
Processing Timeframes
In accordance with section 15(5)(b) of the FOI Act, a 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from 25 March 2025. This 30-day period expires on 24 April 2025.
The 30-day period can be extended in a number of ways, including with your agreement.
Extension of Time Request:
Unfortunately, it is currently taking us a little longer than 30 days to process FOI requests due to a very high volume of incoming matters. 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 24 May 2025.
Please let us know if you agree by 2 April 2025.
Explanation of Extension of Time Request:
The reason I am seeking an extension of time is to ensure I preserve your review rights under the FOI Act.
FOI applicants are normally entitled to exercise a right of internal review if they are unsatisfied with the outcome of an FOI decision. However, this right of review lapses if a FOI decision is not made within the statutory timeframe. This is because if an agency doesn’t issue their decision within the statutory timeframe, they are deemed to have refused the request for documents. If this situation happens, it will limit your options for formal review to only contacting the OAIC.
You are not obligated to agree to this request, you would still retain your review rights with our regulatory body OAIC (Office of the Australian Information Commission).
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?
Action Required
1. Can I please request a response regarding our request for a 30 day extension of time, by 2 April 2025
Next steps
I have completed some preliminary work on your request; however your matter will be allocated to an authorised FOI decision-maker for any further action. 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 [NDIA request email].
Regards
Alana AFW410
Senior Freedom of Information Officer
Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch
Reviews and Information Release Division
National Disability Insurance Agency
T 1800 800 110 E [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.
Dear Alana
I confirm my agreement to a 30-day extension of time, making the new due date for you to decide on my request 24 May 2025. I also confirm NDIA staff members’ surnames and contact details are irrelevant to my request.
Yours sincerely,
David Wright