Information about Model Litigant Obligation complaints

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
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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

-----Original Message-----
From: David Wright [6][FOI #12414 email]
Sent: Friday, 29 November 2024 4:51 PM
To: foi [7][NDIA request email]
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Information about Model Litigant
Obligation complaints

[You don't often get email from
[8][FOI #12414 email]. Learn why this is
important at [9]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------

**********************************************************************
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. mailto:[NDIA request email]
6. mailto:[FOI #12414 email]
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. mailto:[FOI #12414 email]
9. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...

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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...
2. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
3. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
4. https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/usi...
5. https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/workin...
6. https://data.ndis.gov.au/
7. mailto:[NDIA request email]
8. https://www.ndis.gov.au/about-us/policie...
9. mailto:[email address]
10. https://www.ndis.gov.au/
11. mailto:[NDIA request email]

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Dear David

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to apologise for the delay in processing your Freedom of
Information (FOI) request. We understand the importance of your request
and regret any inconvenience this delay may have caused.

Please be assured that we are currently in the preliminary consultation
stage of your FOI request. Our team is diligently working to ensure a
thorough and accurate review of the information you have requested.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process. Should
you have any questions or require further updates, please do not hesitate
to contact us.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Best regards,

Cooper (CHH674)

Team Leader - Senior FOI Officer

Complaints Management & FOI Branch

General Counsel Division

National Disability Insurance Agency

E [1][NDIA request email]

[2]NDIA logo

-----Original Message-----

From: David Wright <[3][FOI #12414 email]>

Sent: 02 February 2025 18:58

To: foi <[4][NDIA request email]>

Subject: Re: FOI 24/25-0870 – Your request for information –
Acknowledgement & Extension of Time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[You don't often get email from
[5][FOI #12414 email]. Learn why this is
important at [6]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

Dear foi,

This is now overdue. Could you please provide me with an update on the
progress of my request.

Yours sincerely,

David Wright

-----Original Message-----

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[7][FOI #12414 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:

[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]
3. mailto:[FOI #12414 email]
4. mailto:[NDIA request email]
5. mailto:[FOI #12414 email]
6. https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific...
7. mailto:[FOI #12414 email]
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

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24.25 0870 Communication Request Consultation 24AB.pdf

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Dear David Wright

Thank you for your request for information.

Please find attached correspondence in relation to your request.

If you require this in a different format, please let us know.

Please contact us at [1][NDIA request email] if you have any questions or
require help.

Kind regards

Kate

A/Assistant Director – Freedom of Information

Information Release, Privacy and Legal Operations Branch

Reviews and Information Release Division

National Disability Insurance Agency

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: David Wright <[4][FOI #12414 email]>

Sent: Monday, 9 December 2024 5:27 PM

To: foi <[5][NDIA request email]>

Subject: Re: FOI 24/25-0870 – Your request for information –
Acknowledgement & Extension of Time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

[You don't often get email from
[6][FOI #12414 email]. Learn why this is
important at [7]https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentific... ]

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.