Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement | FOI release material

Our reference: FOI 20/21-0806

                                                         GPO Box 700
                                                                                   Canberra ACT  2601
                                                                             1800 800 110

                                                                                             ndis.gov.au

15 June 2021

Karen Reynolds By email: foi+request-7268-14337f95@righttoknow.org.au

Dear Karen Reynolds

Freedom of Information Request: Acknowledgement

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):

“…- the name of the external research company employed to craft strategies to assist with messaging about unpopular changes and around alleged ‘scheme sustainability’ to the NDIS as per this recent and badly written article [https://travelsguide.blog/ndia-hired-research-company-to-sell-controversial-changes-to-staff-and-public-leaks-reveal-national-disability-insurance-scheme/?amp - ie ‘a fairer NDIS’

- how much the company was paid and how they were contracted (ie via an open tender process)

- any notes, documents, feedback, transcripts or emails relating to this and related activities, including via focus groups and staff consultation"

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