CHAPTER 3 | performance report

Introduction

This chapter of the report details performance relating to the resources appropriated to the Ombudsman by the Australian Government and agreed outcome and outputs.

The performance framework summarised in the summary table of outcome and output achievements does not cover all of the office's diverse range of activities. A summary of achievements follows the performance table to provide a context for the office's formal reporting requirements.

The role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman is principally performed under the following legislation.

Ombudsman Act 1976 (Cth)

The Commonwealth Ombudsman can consider complaints about almost all Commonwealth agencies and some contractors delivering government services to the community. Under this Act, the Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the Defence Force Ombudsman and is empowered to deal with complaints by serving or former members of the Australian Defence Force, and is the Taxation Ombudsman in relation to complaints about the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

Complaints (Australian Federal Police) Act 1981 (Cth)

The Ombudsman has a role in the handling and investigation of complaints against the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in their national and ACT policing roles.

Ombudsman Act 1989 (ACT)

The Commonwealth Ombudsman is the ACT Ombudsman in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ombudsman and the ACT Government.

Complaints received and finalised about ACT Government departments and agencies are included in the Ombudsman's overall complaint-handling numbers. The Ombudsman has provided more detail on the performance of the ACT Ombudsman function in the ACT Ombudsman 2003–04 Annual Report to the ACT Legislative Assembly. The annual report is available at www.ombudsman.act.gov.au.