GREENS SUPPORT CALL FOR DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today threw their support behind the ombudsman’s call for the position of Deputy ombudsman to be established, in light of the increasing number of functions that have been allocated to the Office of the Ombudsman over recent years.

Greens Leader and Justice spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that the government must snap out of its out-of-date assumption that the Ombudsman’s office primarily deals with complaints, and recognise that the Office has been allocated significant additional roles, such as that of Health Ombudsman, and will also be expected to assume further responsibilities should the legislation to establish an Integrity Commission be passed by Parliament.

“The Greens support the call for a Deputy Ombudsman position to be established as we have raised concerns for many years that the Office of the Ombudsman remains under-resourced despite its responsibilities and oversight roles increasing,” Mr McKim said.

“If Labor is genuine about restoring the community’s faith in democracy then it will ensure that Tasmania’s accountability and oversight bodies are properly resourced and staffed.”

“For the Ombudsman to state that he is not being listened to by government about the ramifications of placing further role and function responsibilities upon that Office, is a disturbing indictment of Labor’s fundamental failure to take accountability seriously.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader