(1) In performing functions under this Act, the Disability Services Commissioner may do any of the following—
(a) consult with any persons or bodies which the Disability Services Commissioner considers appropriate;
(b) develop, and suggest ways of implementing, procedures for—
S. 17(1)(b)(i) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(a).
(i) dealing with complaints relating to disability services or regulated disability services; and
S. 17(1)(b)(ia) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(a).
(ia) preventing and responding to abuse and neglect of persons with a disability receiving disability services or regulated disability services; and
(ii) making existing procedures more effective;
(c) provide advice to complainants of alternative means for dealing with complaints;
S. 17(1)(d) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(b).
(d) provide advice generally on any matter with respect to complaints to—
(i) disability service providers and regulated service providers; and
(ii) complainants; and
(iii) the Minister; and
(iv) the Secretary;
S. 17(1)(da) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(b).
(da) provide advice generally on any matter with respect to accountability investigations and the prevention and response to abuse and neglect to—
(i) disability service providers and regulated service providers; and
(ii) persons with a disability; and
(iii) the Minister; and
(iv) the Secretary;
S. 17(1)(e) amended by No. 33/2017 s. 7(c).
(e) encourage disability service providers and regulated service providers to distribute, display or make available material and information produced by the Disability Services Commissioner about the resolution of complaints;
S. 17(1)(f) substituted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(d).
(f) seek information about the working of the complaints system and about any systems in place to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect from the following—
(i) disability service providers;
(ii) regulated service providers;
(iii) users of services provided by disability service providers or regulated service providers;
S. 17(1)(g) inserted by No. 33/2017 s. 7(d).
(g) anything necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of those functions.
S. 17(1A) inserted by No. 19/2019 s. 25.
(1A) In performing functions under this Act, the Disability Services Commissioner may exercise any power referred to in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (da) and (g) in relation to a former disability service provider or former regulated service provider to the extent that Divisions 6, 6A, 6B, 6C, 8 and 9 of Part 6 apply to the former disability service provider or former regulated service provider, as the case requires.
(2) The Disability Services Commissioner may by instrument delegate to a person or a class of persons employed under section 18 any power, duty or function of the Disability Services Commissioner other than this power of delegation.