Compliance Framework
Compliance Driver
Ombudsman Act 1974 (NSW)
Classification
Level 1
University-wide concern. Impacts on reputation and funding.
Associated Legislation
None
Associated Standards
None
Associated Codes
None
Associated Information
None
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Administrative Information
Administrative Body
NSW Ombudsman
Administrative Name
Mr Michael Barnes, NSW Ombudsman
Administrative Address
Physical Address
Level 24
580 George Street
Sydney NSW
Australia, 2000
Administrative Phone
02 9286 1000
1800 451 524
Administrative Email
nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au
Administrative Website
https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/
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General Introduction
VC Compliance Delegate
Radha Thomas, Director Governance and University Secretary
Compliance Coordinator
Katrina Warden, Director Legal Services
Business Units Impacted
Overview
This Act provides for the appointment of an Ombudsman, and defines the functions of the Ombudsman including investigations, conciliations, and reporting. Subject to certain conditions, any person (including a public authority) may complain to the Ombudsman about the conduct of a public authority (all NSW public universities are public authorities over which the Ombudsman has jurisdiction). Whilst complaints are the primary mechanism to trigger an investigation by the Ombudsman, an investigation may take place whether or not a complaint has been received.
The types of conduct that a complaint can be made about include:
- If a person believes the University (or a university officer) has acted dishonestly, unfairly or unreasonably towards them, and they have been unable to resolve the matter within the University.
- If a person believes the University's policies or procedures are flawed or unfair.
- If a person has experienced what they believe to be unreasonable delays or if the University has made a decision that they should have provided reasons for, but did not.
- If a person believes they have made a public interest disclosure within the meaning of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1993 and the university has not handled it correctly.
- If there is good evidence of maladministration on the part of the University.
- If a person has been advised by the University at the conclusion of an appeals process that you can make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
For the purposes of an investigation under this Act, the Ombudsman may require the University to: give the Ombudsman a statement of information; produce to the Ombudsman any document or other thing; or give the Ombudsman a copy of any document. In addition, the Ombudsman may, at any time enter and inspect any premises occupied or used by a public authority as a public authority, and inspect any document or thing in or on the premises.
Compliance Obligations
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Comply with legislation
Description
Compliance with legislation.
For the purposes of an investigation under this Act, the Ombudsman may require the University to: give the Ombudsman a statement of information; produce to the Ombudsman any document or other thing; or give the Ombudsman a copy of any document. In addition, the Ombudsman may, at any time enter and inspect any premises occupied or used by a public authority as a public authority, and inspect any document or thing in or on the premises.
Impacts
Negative impact on reputation.
Specific penalties are listed in s37 of the Act
Responsible Manager
Radha Thomas, Director Governance and University Secretary
Coordinating Officer
Katrina Warden, Director Legal Services
Coordinating Unit
University Secretariat
Oversight Committee/Group
None
Business Units Impacted
Obligation Framework
Associated Legislation
None
Associated Standard
None
Associated Code
None
Associated Information
None
Management Tools
Rule
None
Policy
None
Protocol
None
Procedure
None
Guideline
None
Other Websites
Compliance Overview