Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman
The Commonwealth Attorney-General, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, is seeking expressions of
interest from suitably qualified persons for appointment as the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The
position is established under the
Ombudsman Act 1976.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman safeguards the community in its dealings with government agencies
and ensures that the administrative actions of Australian Government departments and agencies are
fair and accountable. As an independent statutory office holder, the Ombudsman can consider
complaints or initiate investigations relating to most federal government organisations. The
Ombudsman is also the ACT Ombudsman, the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, Postal Industry
Ombudsman as well as the Overseas Student, VET Student Loans and Defence Force Ombudsman. The
Ombudsman inspects, and reports to Parliament about, aspects of law enforcement agencies’ use of
covert and intrusive powers, inspects immigration detention facilities and oversees the operation of
the
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013. Information about the Office of the Commonwealth
Ombudsman is available at www.ombudsman.gov.au.
As Commonwealth Ombudsman, you will be responsible for the strategic leadership and day-to-day
management of the Office and with the development of policies, systems and processes for conducting
effective and timely complaint investigations and compliance audits. You will build strong and enduring
working relationships with key stakeholders, including the senior staff of government departments
and agencies and private sector organisations and represent the Office in a wide range of public
forums.
You will need to be an outstanding leader and manager with well-honed conceptual and analytical
skills and an impressive record of achievement. You will have proven ability to coordinate and lead
complex investigations and to engage critical senior stakeholders from diverse sectors within the
Australian community. This will be complemented by excellent representational skills, sound
judgement and a personal style that engenders trust and respect. Experience in administrative law
and/or senior government administration would be an advantage for this role.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman is appointed by the Governor-General for a term of up to 7 years.
This statutory appointment will be based in Canberra.
Information about the position, including eligibility and selection criteria, and details on how to
apply, is available on the Attorney-General’s Department website Careers page -
https://www.ag.gov.au/about-us/careers/statutory-appointments. Expressions of interest close at
5:00 pm (EST) on Monday, 28 June 2021. Enquiries can be directed to xxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xx.
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Information pack
10 June 2021
Contents:
• Information about the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman (OCO)
• Role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman (Ombudsman)
• Eligibility
• Selection criteria
• Terms and conditions
• How to apply
Information about the OCO
The OCO is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity established under the
Ombudsman Act 1976 (the
Ombudsman Act) that
sits within the Attorney-General’s Portfolio. The OCO is an independent and
impartial oversight agency that is responsible for providing assurance that Australian Government
entities and prescribed private sector organisations act with integrity and treat people fairly.
The Ombudsman is the Chief Executive of the Office and is assisted by a Deputy Ombudsman. The
Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman are appointed by the Governor-General. A staff of over 200 is
employed under the
Public Service Act 1999.
The national office is in Canberra and there are state offices in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne
and Sydney. For further information about the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman go to:
www.ombudsman.gov.au.
Role of the Ombudsman
The Commonwealth Ombudsman is an independent statutory officer appointed under the Ombudsman
Act. The Ombudsman safeguards the community in its dealings with government agencies and ensures
that the administrative actions of Australian Government departments and agencies are fair and
accountable. The Ombudsman has six major functions:
• complaint investigations
• own motion investigations
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• compliance audits
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
• immigration detention oversight
• Commonwealth Public Interest Disclosure scheme oversight
• Private health insurance consumer information.
The Ombudsman Act also confers the following specialist roles on the Ombudsman:
• Defence Force Ombudsman—handling complaints by serving and former members of the
Australian Defence Force relating to their service and in relation to allegations of abuse
• Postal Industry Ombudsman—handling complaints about Australia Post and private postal
operators registered with the Postal Industry Ombudsman scheme
• Overseas Students Ombudsman – handling complaints from overseas students about private
education providers in Australia
• Private Health Insurance Ombudsman – protecting the interests of private health insurance
consumers
• VET Student Loans Ombudsman – handling complaints from past or current students about their
VET FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debts.
The Ombudsman is also responsible for overseeing immigration detention and the inspection and
monitoring of the use of certain covert and intrusive powers by law enforcement agencies. The
Ombudsman is the National Preventive Mechanism Coordinator for the implementation of OPCAT in
Australia.
In undertaking these roles, the Ombudsman is impartial and independent. The Ombudsman is not an
advocate for complainants or for agencies. The guiding principle in an Ombudsman investigation is to
examine whether the administrative action under investigation is unlawful, unreasonable, unjust,
oppressive, improperly discriminatory, factually deficient or otherwise wrong. At the conclusion of an
investigation, the Ombudsman can recommend that corrective action be taken by an agency. This may
occur either specifically in an individual case or more generally by a change to relevant legislation,
administrative policies or procedures.
A key objective of the Ombudsman is to foster good public administration within Australian
Government agencies, ensuring that the principles and practices of public administration are sensitive,
responsive and adaptive to the interests of members of the public. The Ombudsman can consider
complaints about almost al Australian Government departments and agencies, and most contractors
delivering services to the community for, or on behalf of, the Australian Government.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the ACT Ombudsman in accordance with section 28 of the
ACT
Self-Government (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 (Cth). The role of the ACT Ombudsman is
performed under the
Ombudsman Act 1989 (ACT), and is funded under a services agreement between
the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the ACT Government.
The Ombudsman is responsible for the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the OCO
and with the development of policies, systems and processes for conducting effective and timely
complaint investigations and compliance audits. The Ombudsman is required to build strong and
enduring working relationships with key stakeholders, including the senior staff of government
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departments and agencies and private se
Documents released ctor organisations, and represent the OC
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) O in a wide range of
public forums.
Eligibility
Applicants must have, or be able to hold, an NV2 security clearance. To be eligible for an Australian
Government security clearance, you must be an Australian citizen and have a checkable background.
Selection Criteria
To be a strong candidate for this role, applicants will need to be an outstanding leader and manager
with well-honed conceptual and analytical skills and an impressive record of achievement. Applicants
will have proven ability to coordinate and lead complex investigations and to engage critical senior
stakeholders from diverse sectors within the Australian community. This will be complemented by
excel ent representational skil s, sound judgement and a personal style that engenders trust and
respect. Experience in administrative law and/or senior government administration would be an
advantage for this role.
In accordance with the guidelines on merit-based selection of APS agency heads and statutory office
holders, applicants will need to demonstrate their capability against the following criteria:
• Demonstrates high level leadership and vision
o
sets a strategic vision and inspires others to achieve this
o
innovative in dealing with issues
o
articulates a clear direction for their organisation
• Manages large and/or complex operations
o
achieves results within the context of organisational and/or Government policy
o
strong people management skills
o
strong financial management, ensuring efficient, effective and ethical use of resources
o
understanding of and commitment to quality organisational governance
• Works with others to meet objectives
o
operates collaboratively with others to meet organisational objectives
o
cultivates productive relationships
o
listens to people and values different perspectives
• High level of judgement
• Demonstrates a high standard of professional and personal integrity and capacity to promote
these in an organisation.
Additional desirable criteria:
• Substantial administrative experience and knowledge of public administration, Government
policy, delivery of Government services to the public, administrative review and administrative
law.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct major investigations at a very senior level, in an independent
and impartial manner.
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• A good understanding of politica
Documents released l, economic and social issues which may im
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) pact on the Office of
the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Terms and conditions
This ful -time position is based in Canberra. The successful candidate wil be offered an initial
appointment term of up to five years.
Remuneration and allowances for this position are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and can be viewed
on the Remuneration Tribunal website (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Full-time Public
Office Determination 2020).
How to apply
Applications must include:
• an expression of interest, of no more than 4 pages, including a statement of claims against the
eligibility and selection criteria as outlined
• a comprehensive resume including ful particulars of qualifications, experience and expertise
• the names and contact details of at least two referees who have direct and relevant experience
of the applicant’s work. Applicants will be notified prior to referees being contacted.
Applications should be emailed to xxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xx by 5.00pm (EST) on
Monday,
28 June 2021.
Contact
Enquiries about the position or application can be emailed to xxxxxxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xx.
Assessment process
Applicants will be initially assessed by a panel on their written application. Shortlisted applicants will
be further assessed by the panel at interview. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a
private interests declaration.
Communication
All advice and communication wil be sent to applicants via email. Please ensure the email address
provided is correct.
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
ABN - 92 661 124 436
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Customer Tax Invoice
GPO Box 442
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Invoice Number
6129006
Lisa Collett
Issue Date
Due Date
13.04.2022
11.05.2022
Customer Number
Direct Inquiries to :
s 47E, s 47F
222044
Phone
:
s 47E, s 47F
Page
1 of
1
_______________________________________________________________________
Item
Description
No.Units
Amt/Unit
Value
_______________________________________________________________________
001 Cost recovery for
1 13,199.67
13,199.67
Ombudsman appointment
process
Goods & Services Tax
0.00
_______________________________________________________________________
Total (excluding GST):
AUD
13,199.67
Total GST:
AUD
0.00
Total (including GST):
AUD
13,199.67
_____________________________________________
Payment Methods
Due Date
11.05.2022
-
Direct Debit: Deposit your payment into the following a/c and send an email to
xxx.xxxxxxxx@xx.xxx.xx stating the customer number, amount paid,
Customer number
222044
date paid and the invoice number(s) to which the payment applies.
Bank Name: Reserve Bank of Australia
Invoice number
6129006
Bank Address: 20-22 London Circuit, Canberra ACT 2600 Australia
SWIFT Code: RSBKAU2S
Amount Owing
$13,199.67
A/C No : 110695
A/C Name: Attorney General's Official Deptl Acct (
BSB :
092009
Bank :
RBA
Amount Paid
__________
-
Credit Card (Cards accepted: MasterCard, Visa & American Express)
by Phone: Call 1300 453 579 (local call charge)
Customer Reference Number : 1116 1290 066
Date Paid
__________
by Fax: Fill out the following details and fax this full page to 02 6141 3563.
Other invoices paid
MasterCard Visa American Express
in this remittance
__________
Card Number
_________/_________/_________/_________
Cardholder Name
_____________________________________
__________
Expiry Date ______
Card Holders Signature _________________________
-
By Mail: Please attach this portion to your remittance with cheques/money orders made
payable to
Attorney-General's Department and forward to the Collector of Public Monies:
Attorney-General's Department
Robert Garran Offices
3-5 National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
s 22
From:
Penny McKay
Sent:
Thursday, 21 July 2022 12:10 PM
To:
obsolete_s 47E, s 47F
Subject:
INTRANET POST: Our New Ombudsman - Iain Anderson [SEC=OFFICIAL:Sensitive]
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
Intranet Post: Our New Ombudsman – Iain Anderson
It is with great delight and a true sense of excitement and anticipation, that I announce the appointment of Iain
Anderson as the 11th Commonwealth Ombudsman.
Iain has a wealth of experience as a senior public servant having developed and implemented transformational change
across a wide range of legal and social policy areas, including the Commonwealth civil justice and criminal justice
systems, family law, native title, Royal Commissions and Australia's territories in his various roles within the Attorney-
General’s Department (AGD). He acted as Secretary of AGD awaiting the appointment of Katherine Jones and was also
previously AGD’s Chief Operating Officer. Iain is accomplished in representational roles having appeared numerous
times before parliamentary committees, represented Australia at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Affairs, and
led Australia's delegation to the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF).
I’ve personally crossed paths with Iain a number of times over my career in Canberra and each time I’ve been impressed
with his intellect, professionalism and his great investment in, and affinity with, public service.
Very shortly, the Attorney-General will announce Iain’s appointment for a term of 5 years. Iain will commence on 1
August 2022. I truly look forward to working with Iain and know that you will al join with me to make him very
welcome.
Penny McKay
A/G COMMONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN
Phone:
| Mob: s 47E, s 47F
Email: s 47E, s 47F
EA: s 47E, s 47F
| s 47E, s 47F
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Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth)
Influencing systemic improvement in public administration
The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to elders past and present
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