89Representations to authorities and State-funded service providers

89 Representations to authorities and State-funded service providers

(1) From time to time, the First Peoples' Assembly, on its own initiative, may—

(a) make written submissions to an authority about the provision of services or administration of programs by that authority to or in relation to First Peoples; and

(b) ask questions, in writing, of an authority about the provision of services or administration of programs by that authority to or in relation to First Peoples.

(2) From time to time, the First Peoples' Assembly, on its own initiative, may—

(a) make written submissions to a State-funded service provider about the provision of services or administration of programs by that provider to First Peoples; and

(b) ask questions, in writing, of a State-funded service provider about the provision of services or administration of programs by that provider to First Peoples.

(3) The authority or State-funded service provider must respond in writing to the First Peoples' Assembly within 60 days after receiving any submission or questions, unless a longer period is agreed to by the First Peoples' Assembly.

(4) Subject to section 140, the response must—

(a) in the case of questions, answer any questions or set out reasons why the authority or service provider is unable to answer any question; and

(b) in the case of a submission, set out the actions taken or proposed to be taken in response to the advice or, if no actions are taken or proposed to be taken, the reasons for this.

(5) Subject to this Act and any other Act, the First Peoples' Assembly may publish any submissions or questions given to an authority or State-funded service provider under this section.

(6) A failure to consider or respond to any submission or question given under this section does not, of itself—

(b) affect the validity of any act or decision or any Act or subordinate instrument, or any provision of an Act or subordinate instrument, or provide grounds for review of any act or decision.

(7) The consideration of a submission or question received under this section does not, of itself—

(b) affect the validity of any act or decision or any Act or subordinate instrument, or any provision of an Act or subordinate instrument, or provide grounds for review of any act or decision.