Investigation reports 2008
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Ombudsman report on Centrelink procurement practices of an optional item via a Request for Tender.
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Australia Post—Use of notification cards—23 December 2008—14|2008 (1.92MB)
Report on Australia Post’s use of cards to alert an addressee that a postal item is awaiting collection.
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The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s office received complaints from five businesses regarding decisions made by Centrelink and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on their claims for the third Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant (EIBAG).
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This report looks at three complaints that gave rise to this own motion investigation. The report includes a high level review of the various documents that set out the CSA’s current policy for dealing with customer fraud and compares the CSA’s policy with the arrangements that apply elsewhere in the Australian Government.
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This is the Ombudsman’s third own motion investigation and report on the Australian Federal Police’s exercise of powers under the Intoxicated People (Care and Protection) Act.
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Report on the ACC’s use of certain examination powers under division 2, part II of the ACC Act 2002, focusing on summonses and notices issued under ss 28 and 29 of the Act.
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Centrelink: Arrangements for the withdrawal of face-to-face contact with customers—09|2008 (1.07MB)
The Commonwealth Ombudsman received a range of complaints from Centrelink customers who had been banned from entering Centrelink offices because of past inappropriate behaviour. The investigation report identifies areas of difficulty and the development of national guidelines for use by Centrelink when arranging withdrawal of face-to-face contact with its customers.
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Australian Federal Police: Engagement of consultant—08|2008 (170.52KB)
Commonwealth Ombudsman report on investigation into AFP’s procurement guidelines for engaging consultants.
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Department of Immigration of Citizenship: The Safeguards System—07|2008 (355.35KB)
This own motion investigation was conducted to determine whether DIAC had sufficient checks and balances in place to ensure the Safeguards System is being used appropriately and that it is a reasonably accountable and transparent system.
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In 2005 the Ombudsman received a number of complaints about significant delays by DIAC in processing freedom of information requests.
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The Ombudsman’s office received 140 complaints relating to the job capacity assessment (JCA) process. Although complaints varied, common themes were identified, and the report focuses on these issues and current JCA practices and procedures and their impact on customers.
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The Ombudsman’s office receives complaints each year about damaged inbound international mail items. The damage may have been caused while the item was in the mail stream either inside or outside Australia, or during border inspection. We decided to conduct an investigation to clarify the responsibilities of the three agencies involved in the processing of inbound international mail—Australia Post, the Australian Customs Service and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
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Department of Defence—Allegations concerning the HMAS Westralia fire, April 2008—03|2008 (1MB)
Report into Commonwealth and Defence Force Ombudsman, Prof. John McMillan into allegations that Defence was forewarned about safety risks to HMAS Westralia three months before the 5 May 1998 fire.
Appendix C—Transcript of the 6 February 1998 meeting between IGD investigators and Baileys Diesel Services P/L -
Overall, the Ombudsman’s investigation found that DIAC is administering debt waiver and write-off according to the legislative and policy requirements. However, the investigation also found scope for improvement. In particular, DIAC can improve the information it provides to people, timeliness and prioritisation in processing cases, and the consistency and reasonableness of decisions on debt waiver and write-off.
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This is an abridged version of report 01|2008. The full report has not been made publicly available to preserve the privacy of the complainant.