Latest news
20 November 2009
Housing for people with a mental illness
The Ombudsman tabled a special report to Parliament on 11 November 2009 about his investigation into the Joint Guarantee of Service for People with Mental Health Problems and Disorders Living in Aboriginal, Community and Public Housing (the JGOS). The report asserts that the JGOS and its implementation have failed to achieve systemic improvements for people with a mental illness. Hospital discharge planning, information exchange among government and non-government agencies and the availability of supported accommodation have been identified as areas that need urgent reform. Click on the links below to access the report and the media release:
Media release: Housing for people with a mental illness
Domestic Violence Community Stakeholders Forum
We are holding our inaugural Domestic Violence Community Stakeholders Forum on 9 December 2009. The main purpose of the forum is to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to speak directly to us about their views in relation to the handling of domestic violence complaints by the NSW Police Force and other lead government agencies. The information we receive at the forum will also inform our current audit of the NSW Police Force’s handling of domestic violence related complaints.
Presentations at the AbSec Conference 2009
The Ombudsman Bruce Barbour and the Deputy Ombudsman & Community and Disability Services Commissioner Steve Kinmond were keynote speakers at the Aboriginal Child Family & Community Care (AbSec) annual conference to be held on 19-21 November 2009. The Ombudsman’s speech titles The Ombudsman’s work in Aboriginal child protection and out of home care: challenges and opportunities. The Deputy Ombudsman’s speech titles Lessons learnt from working with Aboriginal communities: an ombudsman’s perspective.
Click on the link for the Ombudsman’s speech: The Ombudsman’s work in Aboriginal child protection and out of home care: challenges and opportunities
IDEAS Expo 2009
Ombudsman staff will be making a presentation on the work of the Ombudsman and how it relates to people with a disability at this year’s IDEAS Access for All Disability Expo to be held on 3-4 December 2009 in Merimbula. The Expo is the largest disability expo to be held on the South Coast and will showcase over 35 suppliers of equipment and major organisations that support people with disability, older people, their families and carers to live independently.
3 November 2009
Ombudsman releases Annual Report
The Ombudsman tabled his annual report for 2008-2009 on 22 October 2009. The report outlines everyday problems that would not have been solved without our involvement. It highlights cases that we were able to resolve quickly and easily, as well as looking into broader systemic issues that can impact on large parts of our community. Click on the links below to access the report and the Ombudsman’s media releases:
NSW Ombudsman annual report 2008-2009
NSW Ombudsman Annual Report 08-09 media releases
3 November 2009
Change to the structure of the NSW Ombudsman
To address ongoing budgetary constraints, changes to our work processes and broader public sector structural changes, the Ombudsman implemented changes to the structure of the office. We now have four branches: Human Services Branch, Public Administration and Strategic Projects Branch, Police and Compliance Branch and Corporate Branch. The new structure came into effect on 1 October 2009. Click on the link below to view an organisation chart outlining the new structure:
3 November 2009
Ombudsman staff overseas
Several senior staff from our office have recently travelled overseas to share the experience of our office. Deputy Ombudsman Chris Wheeler has just returned from Canada, where he conducted a number of training courses in dealing with unreasonable complainant conduct. This is the second time Chris has been invited to Canada, with oversight agencies keen to develop more effective approaches to unreasonable complainant conduct. Assistant Ombudsman (Police) Greg Andrews travelled to Jakarta as part of an ongoing AusAid funded project to support the Ombudsman Commission of Indonesia.
3 November 2009
Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign
This year we have again become a sponsor for the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign to celebrate International Day of People with a Disability. The campaign is a NSW Government initiative to celebrate the achievements of people with a disability. It is held in November and December each year. As part of the event, we have invited a Don’t DIS my ABILITY ambassador to address our staff. For further information about Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, click on the link below:
8 October 2009
Report into the death of Ebony
The Ombudsman has tabled a special report to Parliament entitled The death of Ebony: the need for an effective interagency response. The report outlines the contact five government agencies had with Ebony and her family over a six year period leading up to her death at the end of 2007. Click on the link below to access the report.
The death of Ebony: The need for an effective interagency response to children at risk
8 October 2009
Commonwealth Ombudsman national conference
The Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman both presented papers at the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s recent national conference. The Ombudsman took part in a joint session entitled Openness in a secret world. He was joined on the panel by Senator Mark Dreyfus and Inspector General for Intelligence and Security, Mr Ian Carnell. The Deputy Ombudsman spoke about unreasonable complainant conduct as part of a session entitled Being difficult or experiencing difficulty.
Plenary Session 3: Openness in a secret world
8 October 2009
Legal Officer working in Vanuatu
As part of our work with the Pacific Ombudsman Alliance (POA), Brendan Delahunty from our office is completing a three month placement with the Vanuatu Ombudsman. Brendan will be based in Port Villa from September to December, helping the staff of the Vanuatu Ombudsman to assess complaints and providing broader advice around the operation of the office. Brendan’s placement is fully funded by the POA.
8 October 2009
Information Commissioner now online
The Information Commissioner’s website is now up and running. The web address is: www.informationcommissioner.nsw.gov.au.
25 September 2009
Contacting the Information Commissioner
The Information Commissioner’s office is currently being established, with a website expected to be operational in a few weeks. News about the Information Commissioner can be accessed at: http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/prem/foi_reform_-_open_government_information. If you want to contact the Information Commissioner, you can send an email to Information_Commissioner@agd.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 194 210.
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