7. Duty on reviewable agencies to give assistance and guidance, etc.
The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following section after section 4:
(1) This section applies when an action taken by or on behalf of a reviewable agency (‘the agency’) in the performance of administrative functions affects -
(a) a right, privilege or other benefit to which an eligible person is or may be entitled, or
(b) an obligation, liability, penalty or other detriment to which an eligible person is or may be subject.
(2) The agency shall, consistent with the resources available to the agency -
(a) give reasonable assistance and guidance to that person in any dealings of the person with the agency in relation to the action taken by the agency, having particular regard to the needs of the person as a result of any disability,
(b) ensure that the business of the person with the agency in relation to that action is dealt with properly, fairly, impartially and in a timely manner, and
(c) provide information to the person on any rights of appeal or review in respect of that action and on the procedures for, and any time limits applying to, the exercise of those rights.".