Pacific Ombudsman Alliance

The Commonwealth Ombudsman is currently engaged in activities with the Ombudsmen of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI). Along with our partners, the Western Australian Ombudsman and the New South Wales Ombudsman, our office is funded by AusAID to run an Indonesian Australian Ombudsman Linkages and Strengthening (IAOLAS) program. Activities support exchanges between the Australian and Indonesian organisations to share knowledge and strengthen core ombudsman functions.

The overall aim of the IAOLAS program is to provide greater access across a larger portion of Indonesia to more effective and sustainable Ombudsman and complaint management services.

In particular, the program objectives are to:

  • Build linkages and understanding between Australian and Indonesian Ombudsmen and their staff;
  • Strengthen institutional capacities at both the national, representative and emerging local levels of Ombudsmen services in Indonesia; and
  • Assist ORI (formerly the National Ombudsman Commission of Indonesia (NOC)) in promoting the rights to good governance and participating in Indonesian Democracy.

Solomon Islands Ombudsman Joe Poraiwai (in yellow) with Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher (in checks) at the annual members meeting in Honiara in July 2011.
From left to right; Brendan Delahunty, Bruce Barbour (NSW Ombudsman) and Allan Asher (former Commonwealth Ombudsman) at the offices of the Ombudsmen of the Republic of Indonesia.