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      17 Nov 2008: Ombudsman report on equine influenza assistance payments

      Commonwealth Ombudsman, Prof. John McMillan, today released a report on the administration of assistance payments for people affected by the August 2007 equine influenza outbreak.

      The Ombudsman’s office received complaints from five businesses about decisions made by Centrelink and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to reject their claims for the third Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant (EIBAG). The Ombudsman’s investigation concluded that the claims were wrongly rejected and should be reconsidered.

      ‘Our investigation established that many other claimants had also been prevented from submitting proper applications for the third EIBAG as a result of incorrect decision making and advice by Centrelink and by DAFF inaction,’ Prof. McMillan said.

      The report highlights a number of flaws in the handling of claims for the third EIBAG by both Centrelink and DAFF, including:

      • Centrelink’s misinterpretation of the criteria for the third EIBAG and subsequent incorrect decision making
      • Centrelink’s failure to identify or remedy the error upon internal review
      • DAFF’s failure to identify or remedy Centrelink’s error in the course of its special case review process.

      The Ombudsman recommended that Centrelink and DAFF institute a plan to review the claims of the five complainants, and of any other customers whose claims were similarly refused.

      The Ombudsman is pleased with the cooperative response taken by Centrelink and DAFF to his office’s investigation, and with their comprehensive and prompt approach to implementation of the recommendations in the report.

      Centrelink advised that it has identified all affected customers and is currently in the process of inviting them to submit any relevant evidence so that a review of the original decision on their claim can be undertaken.

      Download the report: Claim and review processes in administering the Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant (Third payment).

      Date of release: 17 November 2008