Who can the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigate?

Who can the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigate?

The office of Commonwealth Ombudsman is created by the Ombudsman Act 1976. The Ombudsman Act provides that the Ombudsman is to investigate the administrative actions of Australian Government departments / agencies and prescribed private sector organisations, and sets out the limits on his jurisdiction.

When was the ombudsman created?

1809
Introduced in the Constitution of 1809, an Ombudsman was appointed by Swedish Parliament, making the office independent from the King. Ombudsman comes from the Norwegian word Umbodhsmadhr, meaning Administration Man or King’s Representative. As a Swedish word, it literally means one who represents another.

When can the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigate?

Under s 4(5) of the Ombudsman Act, the Commonwealth Ombudsman may be designated as the Law Enforcement Ombudsman when investigating complaints about the conduct and practices of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its members.

What is an Ombudsman investigation?

The ombudsman will look at evidence from both sides and decide what should happen. An ombudsman’s investigation can take a long time, so you might have to wait a while for a decision. If the ombudsman decides your complaint is justified, they’ll recommend what the organisation should do to put things right.

What powers does an Ombudsman have?

The typical duties of an ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations (binding or not) or mediation. Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people’s rights.

How long does an Ombudsman investigation take?

Typically, this part of our process takes up to 90 days. A very complex complaint, or where either party disagrees with the initial assessment and ask for final decision, may mean it takes longer. You will be updated by your case handler as things progress.

What can I do if a shop refuses to refund my money?

If you can’t get the support you need from the retailer in the form of a refund, repair or replacement, you can file a complaint with the company. If that still doesn’t help, you can contact the Consumer Ombudsman. They’ll aim to help resolve your dispute within 10 working days.