Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement

Our reference: FOI 20/21-0804

GPO Box 700 Canberra ACT 2601 1800 800 110

dis.gov.au

15 June 2021

Karen Reynolds By email: foi+request-7326-6cfd63fe@righttoknow.org.au

Dear Karen Reynolds

Thank you for your request of 1 June 2021, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) for copies of documents held by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Scope of your request

You have requested access to the following documents about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS):

“…1. In relation to the decision to engage two additional organisations to join the Independent Assessment pilot:

a. could any notes, minutes, memoranda, letters, other external or internal correspondence, emails and/or Microsoft Office Communicator conversations relating to this decision be provided between CEO Martin Hoffman and representatives of Plena Healthcare and Healthstrong;

b. How did the NDIA hear about the organisations Plena Healthcare and Healthstrong and determine that they were suitable for the provision of independent assessments, given that they both had new Directors and were new entrants to the market in this space?

c. could any notes, minutes, memoranda, letters, other external or internal correspondence, texts messages or emails between the NDIA and representatives from the following organisations from the period between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2021 only in relation to the appointment of Plena Healthcare and Healthstrong and any perceived or actual conflict of interest be provided: i. Plena Healthcare; ii. Murto Pty Ltd; iii. Zenitas Healthcare; iv. HealthStrong; and v. Medibank.

d. could any notes, minutes, memoranda, letters, other external or internal correspondence, texts messages or emails between the NDIA and representatives from the following individuals from between 1 May 2019 and 1 May 2021 only in relation to the appointment of Plena Healthcare and any perceived or actual conflict of interest: i. Mr Robert De Luca; ii. Mr Anthony Vella; iii. Mr Trent Tolra; and iv. Mr Mark Rogers.”

Unless you advise otherwise, we will take it that you agree to the names and contact details of NDIA staff being excluded from the scope of your request (that is, the information will be treated as irrelevant).

Processing timeframes We received your request on 1 June 2021 and the 30-day statutory period for processing your request commenced from the day after that date. You should therefore expect a decision from us by 1 July 2021.

The period may be extended if we need to consult with third parties or for other reasons. We will advise you if this happens.

Charges We may apply a processing charge to your request and will advise you as soon as practicable if a charge is payable.

Disclosure Log Information released under the FOI Act may be published on the NDIA’s disclosure log located on our website, subject to certain exceptions.

If you have any concerns about the publication of information you have requested, please contact us.

Further help Please contact us at foi@ndis.gov.au if you have any questions or need help.

We will contact you using the email address you provided. Please advise if you would prefer us to use an alternative means of contact.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer Parliamentary, Ministerial & FOI Branch Government Division