PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES ACT 1994 - SECT 6B Oversight of Act by Ombudsman

PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES ACT 1994 - SECT 6B

6B Oversight of Act by Ombudsman

(1) The Ombudsman has the following functions in connection with the operation of this Act--

(a) to promote public awareness and understanding of this Act and to promote the object of this Act,

(b) to provide information, advice, assistance and training to public authorities, investigating authorities and public officials on any matters relevant to this Act,

(c) to issue guidelines and other publications for the assistance of public authorities and investigating authorities in connection with their functions under this Act,

(d) to issue guidelines and other publications for the assistance of public officials in connection with the protections afforded to them under this Act,

(e) to monitor and provide reports (
"monitoring reports" ) to Parliament on the exercise of functions under this Act and compliance with this Act by public authorities (other than investigating authorities in respect of their functions as investigating authorities),

(f) to audit and provide reports (
"audit reports" ) to Parliament on the exercise of functions under this Act and compliance with this Act by public authorities (other than investigating authorities in respect of their functions as investigating authorities),

(g) to provide reports and recommendations to the Minister about proposals for legislative and administrative changes to further the object of this Act.

Note : The Ombudsman is also chairperson of the Steering Committee.

(2) A monitoring report is to be provided once every 12 months. An audit report is to be provided whenever the Ombudsman considers it desirable to do so and at least once every 12 months.

(3) The Ombudsman must, as soon as practicable after 30 June in each year, prepare and provide a report to Parliament on the Ombudsman's activities under this section for the preceding 12 months.

(4) A report to Parliament under this section can be provided by being included in the Ombudsman's annual report under section 30 of the Ombudsman Act 1974 or can be provided as a separate report and provided to the Presiding Officer of each House of Parliament.

(5) Section 31AA of the Ombudsman Act 1974 applies to a report to Parliament under this section as if the report were a report made or furnished under Part 4 of that Act.