Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Ombudsman Act 1973 - SECT 14

Conducting of investigations

14. Conducting of investigations



(1) The Ombudsman may conduct an investigation under this Act either on his
own motion or as a consequence of a complaint.

(2) A complaint-

   (a)  may be made by a person or by a body of persons, whether corporate or
        unincorporate; and

   (b)  shall be made in writing.

(3) Subject to subsection (4) the Ombudsman shall not entertain a complaint if
the complainant is not affected by the administrative action which is the
subject of the complaint.

(4) The Ombudsman shall not refuse to entertain a complaint on the grounds
mentioned in subsection (3)-

   (a)  if the complainant is a Member of Parliament acting on behalf of the
        aggrieved person;

   (b)  if the complainant is a person who is considered suitable by the
        Ombudsman to represent the interests of an aggrieved person who has
        died or who in the opinion of the Ombudsman is unable to act for
        himself; or

   (c)  if, having regard to all the circumstances, the Ombudsman considers it
        proper to entertain the complaint.





(5) The Ombudsman may entertain a complaint even if on the face of it the
complainant does not refer to an administrative action by an authority to
which this Act applies if in his opinion there is a likelihood that the cause
for complaint arose from such an action.