minister briefs on mild-moderate DD and autism
Dear Department of Health,
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on 20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
Acknowledgement of receipt of Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request of 30 September 2025, to the Minister for
Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark
Butler MP (Minister), seeking access under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to the following documents:
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received by)
Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay and
autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The reference number for your request is FOI 26-2250 MO. Please ensure
that you quote this number in future correspondence with us concerning
this request.
The department provides administrative assistance to the Minister’s Office
in relation to FOI matters, and we are acknowledging receipt of your
request on behalf of the Minister.
Timeframes
Your request was received on 30 September 2025. The statutory timeframe
for processing your request is 30 calendar days and you should expect to
be notified of a decision from the Minister on or before 30 October 2025.
The period of 30 days may be extended if the Minister needs to consult
third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Request to exclude irrelevant information from your request
To assist with processing your request, can you also please advise by COB
7 October 2025, if you agree that information regarding any public service
employee names below Senior Executive Service level and direct telephone
numbers of all staff will be excluded from the scope of your request under
s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act
Other Information
The Minister may impose a charge for the work involved in providing access
to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be notified
in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise any draft and duplicate documents will be
excluded from the scope of your request.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on the department’s FOI disclosure log
[1]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published where
this would be unreasonable.)
You can contact the FOI Section via email at [2][email address] or by
phone on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Jordan
Administration Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666| E: [3][email address]
This email comes to you from Ngunnawal Country
Location: Level 3
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[FOI #13749 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 30 September 2025 5:00 PM
To: FOI <[email address]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - minister briefs on mild-moderate
DD and autism
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our
organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Department of Health,
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received by)
Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay and
autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[4]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
Yours faithfully,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #13749 email]
Is [6][Department of Health, Disability and Ageing request email] the wrong address for Freedom of Information
requests to Department of Health? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[7]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
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://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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 transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. http://www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-d...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
5. mailto:[FOI #13749 email]
6. mailto:[Department of Health, Disability and Ageing request email]
7. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/change_re...
8. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
Re: FOI 26-2250 MO
Thank you for your response 2/10/2025.
I agree that information regarding any public service employee names below Senior Executive Service level and direct telephone numbers of all staff can be excluded from the scope of my request.
The autism sector is interested in seeing drafts of documents if it helps the sector understand how the Thriving Kids program was arrived at. We do not need copies of drafts where the difference from the final version is purely typographic, grammar, formatting, and/or spelling errors. Besides, I am skeptical that drafts are given to the Minister in the first place.
In relation to the Minister imposing charges for the processing and delivery of this FoI request, we strongly suggest that would quite inappropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[1]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 30 October 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
To ensure that Minister’s office has undertaken all reasonable steps to
identify all documents relevant to your request, and for the decision
maker to make a well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, we are seeking your agreement to an extension of 14 calendar
days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 13
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 27 September 2025
if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you by this
date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[2][email address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[FOI #13749 email]>
Sent: Monday, 6 October 2025 4:22 PM
To: FOI <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO –
Acknowledgement of Receipt [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our
organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear FOI,
Re: FOI 26-2250 MO
Thank you for your response 2/10/2025.
I agree that information regarding any public service employee names below
Senior Executive Service level and direct telephone numbers of all staff
can be excluded from the scope of my request.
The autism sector is interested in seeing drafts of documents if it helps
the sector understand how the Thriving Kids program was arrived at. We do
not need copies of drafts where the difference from the final version is
purely typographic, grammar, formatting, and/or spelling errors. Besides,
I am skeptical that drafts are given to the Minister in the first place.
In relation to the Minister imposing charges for the processing and
delivery of this FoI request, we strongly suggest that would quite
inappropriate.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
-----Original Message-----
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
Acknowledgement of receipt of Freedom of Information request
I refer to your request of 30 September 2025, to the Minister for
Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark
Butler MP (Minister), seeking access under the Freedom of Information Act
1982 (Cth) (FOI Act) to the following documents:
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[4]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The reference number for your request is FOI 26-2250 MO. Please ensure
that you quote this number in future correspondence with us concerning
this request.
The department provides administrative assistance to the Minister’s
Office in relation to FOI matters, and we are acknowledging receipt of
your request on behalf of the Minister.
Timeframes
Your request was received on 30 September 2025. The statutory timeframe
for processing your request is 30 calendar days and you should expect to
be notified of a decision from the Minister on or before 30 October 2025.
The period of 30 days may be extended if the Minister needs to consult
third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.
Request to exclude irrelevant information from your request
To assist with processing your request, can you also please advise by COB
7 October 2025, if you agree that information regarding any public
service employee names below Senior Executive Service level and direct
telephone numbers of all staff will be excluded from the scope of your
request under
s22(1)(a)(ii) of the FOI Act
Other Information
The Minister may impose a charge for the work involved in providing
access to the documents. If this request attracts a charge you will be
notified in writing.
Unless you advise otherwise any draft and duplicate documents will be
excluded from the scope of your request.
Please note that information released under the FOI Act may later be
published online on the department’s FOI disclosure log
[1][5]www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-disclosure-log, subject to certain
exceptions. (For example, personal information will not be published
where this would be unreasonable.)
You can contact the FOI Section via email at [2][email address] or by
phone on 02 6289 1666, should you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Jordan
Administration Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666| E: [3][email address]
This email comes to you from Ngunnawal Country
Location: Level 3
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First
Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout
Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past
and present.
OFFICIAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[6][FOI #13749 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:
[7]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICIAL
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
5. http://www.health.gov.au/resources/foi-d...
6. mailto:[FOI #13749 email]
7. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
Dear FOI,
I agree to a 14 day extension, as you requested. The due date will be 13/11/2025.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[1]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 13 November 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
The Minister’s office is currently in the process of conducting further IT
searches of staff computers who are out-of-office to ensure all reasonable
searches have been undertaken to identify documents that may be within the
scope of your request. Therefore, to ensure that Minister’s office has
undertaken all reasonable steps to identify all documents relevant to your
request, and for the decision maker to make a well-balanced decision on
access to any such documents identified, we are seeking your agreement to
a further extension of 14 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 27
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 10 November 2025
if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you by this
date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[2][email address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[FOI #13749 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 23 October 2025 4:53 PM
To: FOI <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our
organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear FOI,
I agree to a 14 day extension, as you requested. The due date will be
13/11/2025.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
-----Original Message-----
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[1][4]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 30 October 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
To ensure that Minister’s office has undertaken all reasonable steps to
identify all documents relevant to your request, and for the decision
maker to make a well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, we are seeking your agreement to an extension of 14 calendar
days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 13
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 27 September
2025 if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you
by this date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may
consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at [2][email
address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First
Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout
Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past
and present.
OFFICIAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #13749 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://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICIAL
"Important: This transmission is intended only for the use of the
addressee and may contain confidential or legally privileged information.
If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any use or
dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you
receive this transmission in error please notify the author immediately
and delete all copies of this transmission."
References
Visible links
1. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
5. mailto:[FOI #13749 email]
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I just wanted to follow up my below email and confirm whether you agree to
a further extension of 14 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date for your request
will then be 27 November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however,
continue to process your request as quickly as possible.
I would be grateful if you could please let us know as soon as possible
whether you agree to this extension.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[1][email address].
Kind regards,
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
From: FOI <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 7 November 2025 10:28 AM
To: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[FOI #13749 email]>
Subject: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[3]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 13 November 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
The Minister’s office is currently in the process of conducting further IT
searches of staff computers who are out-of-office to ensure all reasonable
searches have been undertaken to identify documents that may be within the
scope of your request. Therefore, to ensure that Minister’s office has
undertaken all reasonable steps to identify all documents relevant to your
request, and for the decision maker to make a well-balanced decision on
access to any such documents identified, we are seeking your agreement to
a further extension of 14 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 27
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 10 November 2025
if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you by this
date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[4][email address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [5][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[6][FOI #13749 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 23 October 2025 4:53 PM
To: FOI <[7][email address]>
Subject: Re: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
REMINDER: Think before you click! This email originated from outside our
organisation. Only click links or open attachments if you recognise the
sender and know the content is safe.
Dear FOI,
I agree to a 14 day extension, as you requested. The due date will be
13/11/2025.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
-----Original Message-----
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[1][8]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 30 October 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
To ensure that Minister’s office has undertaken all reasonable steps to
identify all documents relevant to your request, and for the decision
maker to make a well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, we are seeking your agreement to an extension of 14 calendar
days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 13
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 27 September
2025 if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you
by this date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may
consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at [2][email
address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First
Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout
Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past
and present.
OFFICIAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[9][FOI #13749 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:
[10]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICIAL
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. mailto:[email address]
3. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[FOI #13749 email]
7. mailto:[email address]
8. https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...
9. mailto:[FOI #13749 email]
10. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I refer to my below emails regarding an extension of time request from the
Minister in regard to your FOI request 26-2250 MO.
I would be grateful if you could please confirm whether or not you agree
to our request for a further 14 calendar day extension of time.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date for your request
will then be 27 November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however,
continue to process your request as quickly as possible.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[1][email address].
Kind regards,
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [2][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
From: FOI <[email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 8:51 AM
To: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[FOI #13749 email]>
Subject: RE: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I just wanted to follow up my below email and confirm whether you agree to
a further extension of 14 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date for your request
will then be 27 November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however,
continue to process your request as quickly as possible.
I would be grateful if you could please let us know as soon as possible
whether you agree to this extension.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[3][email address].
Kind regards,
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [4][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
From: FOI <[5][email address]>
Sent: Friday, 7 November 2025 10:28 AM
To: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[6][FOI #13749 email]>
Subject: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good morning Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[7]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 13 November 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
The Minister’s office is currently in the process of conducting further IT
searches of staff computers who are out-of-office to ensure all reasonable
searches have been undertaken to identify documents that may be within the
scope of your request. Therefore, to ensure that Minister’s office has
undertaken all reasonable steps to identify all documents relevant to your
request, and for the decision maker to make a well-balanced decision on
access to any such documents identified, we are seeking your agreement to
a further extension of 14 calendar days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 27
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 10 November 2025
if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you by this
date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian Information
Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at
[8][email address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [9][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First Nations
peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our
respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and
present.
OFFICIAL
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
<[10][FOI #13749 email]>
Sent: Thursday, 23 October 2025 4:53 PM
To: FOI <[11][email address]>
Subject: Re: Minister’s Office Freedom of Information Request 26-2250 MO -
Request for an extension of time [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
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Dear FOI,
I agree to a 14 day extension, as you requested. The due date will be
13/11/2025.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Buckley (A4 Co-convenor)
-----Original Message-----
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon Mr Buckley,
I refer to your request to the Minister for Disability and the National
Disability Insurance Scheme the Hon Mark Butler MP (Minister) of 30
September 2025 seeking access to the following under the Freedom of
Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act):
I hereby seek copies of information given or briefings to (or received
by) Minister Butler that mention "mild to moderate developmental delay
and autism" or similar in the period from his appointment as Minister
following the 2025 federal election up to his Press Club speech on
20/8/2025 when he used the phrase (see
[1][12]https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-...).
The statutory due date for your request is currently 30 October 2025.
Request for extension of time
Section 15AA of the FOI Act permits the Minister to extend the statutory
processing timeframe, with your agreement, for a period of up to 30
calendar days.
To ensure that Minister’s office has undertaken all reasonable steps to
identify all documents relevant to your request, and for the decision
maker to make a well-balanced decision on access to any such documents
identified, we are seeking your agreement to an extension of 14 calendar
days.
If you agree to this extension, the statutory due date will then be 13
November 2025. The Minister’s office will, however, continue to process
your request as quickly as possible.
It would assist if you could please advise by COB Monday 27 September
2025 if you agree to this extension of time. If we do not hear from you
by this date or if you do not agree to the extension, the Minister may
consider
seeking an extension of time from the Office of the Australian
Information Commissioner (OAIC) under section 15AB of the FOI Act.
We thank you for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we continue to
process your request.
If you have any questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this
email, please do not hesitate to contact the FOI Section at [2][email
address].
Kind regards
Emma (she/her)
FOI Case Officer – Freedom of Information Section
Commercial and Information Law Branch
Legal Division | Corporate Operations Group
Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
T: 02 6289 1666 | E: [3][email address]
PO Box 9848, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges First
Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout
Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We
pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past
and present.
OFFICIAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[13][FOI #13749 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:
[14]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...
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.
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OFFICIAL
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Our reference: RQ25/07189
Minister reference: FOI 26-2250 MO
Minister name The Hon Mark Butler
By Email: [Department of Health, Disability and Ageing request email]
Name Mr Bob Buckley
By Email:
[FOI #13749 email]
Extension of time under s 15AB
Dear Parties,
Please find attached an extension of time decision relating to the above
referenced FOI request.
Regards,
[1][IMG] Andriana DeIeso
Review Adviser
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
GPO Box 5288 Sydney NSW 2001
E [2][email address]
The OAIC acknowledges Traditional Custodians of Country across
Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
communities. We pay our respect to First Nations people,
cultures and Elders past and present.
[3]Subscribe to Information Matters
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