Investigation reports 2009
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Report by the Ombudsman on the administration of the Economic Security Strategy Payment – an examination of the implementation, monitoring and review of the scheme.
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Conflicting and out–of–date internal information policies, multiple databases with varying degrees of security and low staff morale increased the risk of confidential Australian Crime Commission (ACC) intelligence falling into the wrong hands, according to Commonwealth Ombudsman Professor John McMillan.
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Few individual complaints that the Ombudsman investigates culminate in a formal report. Publication of a report can involve an unreasonable disclosure of personal information about the person who complained to us, or related third parties. However, the case of Mrs X holds lessons for all Commonwealth agencies that administer programs or deliver services in cooperation with other organisations. That explains the decision to publish this abridged report.
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This report is the first in a series outlining the results of investigations into the work of the CIU. It reviews CIU policies, procedures, case management systems and quality assurance processes.
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Executive schemes—3 August 2009—12|2009 (531.93KB)
Governments must have legal authority to take the actions they do, much of which comes from legislative power, but many ordinary activities are carried out under Executive power.
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Ombudsman report—Putting things right: compensating for defective administration—Administration of decision-making under the scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration.
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Department of Immigration and Citizenship—Invalid visa applications—28 July 2009—10|2009 (539KB)
Report by Commonwealth Ombudsman on DIAC administration and handling of invalid visa applications.
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Australia Post—Administration of the Mail Redirection Service—28 June 2009—07|2009 (1.66MB)
Report by the Ombudsman on Australia Posts administration of the mail redirection service.
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Report by the Ombudsman on the delay by Australian Government agencies in preparing heritage strategies for buildings they own or control.
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Report on the Child Support Agency’s administration of its power to issue an order preventing a child support debtor from leaving Australia without first paying, or making arrangements to pay, their child support debt.
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An abridged report on the immigration detention arrangements for an individual, Mr W.
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An abridged report on Australia Post’s service delivery and their handling of a complaint about delivery of a registered post article.
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Australian Tax Office: Re-raising written-off tax debts—27 March—04|2009 (735.11KB)
Report into the ATO’s policies and procedures in re-raising income tax debts that it had previously written off.
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Use of interpreters: AFP, Centrelink, DEEWR, DIAC—26 March 2009—03|2009 (453.63KB)
Complaints to the Ombudsman indicate that interpreter services supplied by many Australian Government agencies are not always provided in an accessible, responsive and fair manner. The Ombudsman initiated an own motion investigation to consider the use of interpreters by four agencies—the AFP, Centrelink, DEEWR and DIAC—and identified eight best practice principles.
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Report on problems in assessing claims for disability support pension from people who are acutely or terminally ill.
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Report on the way Australia Post polls communities to assess the level of support for possible changes to mail delivery.