Mcgarrigle's Case Summary

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The news story covers the Federal Court appeal of Liam McGarrigle over a decision of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). The NDIA originally found that Mr. McGarrigle was entitled to funding under the Act for taxi rides he needed in order to access support programs and his workplace. Mr. McGarrigle appealed the decision of the NDIA to fund these taxi trips at a value of $8000. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal heard the appeal, and calculated that the costs of his taxi trips were $15,850. However, the Tribunal accepted the NDIA’s ‘invitation’ to use a balancing factor of financial sustainability, and ascribed a figure of 75% of the total costs calculated. The appeal of Mr. McGarrigle to the Federal Court argues the process of calculation of this payment was selected without evidence or supporting material, thus making 75% an arbitrary number. Mr. McGarrigle also argues there is no statutory basis for …show more content…

The decision of the Federal Court in Mr. McGarrigle’s case will have large impacts on the interpretation and implementation of the NDIS, and consequently on the funding of all applicants. The Court may interpret the statute to require that funding is on the basis of an all-or-nothing system, which the NDIA argues would accordingly mean their funding would cover fewer applicants. Thus judicial review must be based on the interpretation of statute, rather than the substantive merits of the case, as a decision based on Mr. McGarrigle’s need affects the entire Scheme. Therefore, what the law requires must be the most important outcome. Judicial review has the ability to clarify procedural norms and help to create transparent and accountable outcomes. However, review should be based on law and not substantive

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