The annual report of the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman reveals it made 244 recommendations to public sector Agencies to improve administrative practices in 2019-20 and 100 per cent of its recommendations were accepted.
The Ombudsman, Anthony Reilly (pictured) said the Office’s investigations into complaints checked to see if there was unfairness in decision-making and if there was, what could be done to fix the problem.
“Our recommendations can mean both a direct benefit to the individual who made the complaint and an improvement in public administrative systems,” Mr Reilly said.
“This year, 48 per cent of all investigative recommendations related to systemic improvements.”
He said his Office continued its strong focus on delivering training and advisory services to help ensure public sector officers had the skills and knowledge to make fair decisions.
“Despite training being limited by the COVID-19 pandemic, over the past year the Office trained 2,785 officers in topics such as good decision-making, complaints management and public interest disclosure management, “ Mr Reilly said.
He said the Office released two significant public reports in 2019-20, The Forensic Disability Service Report and the Management of Child Safety Complaints – Second Report.
“The Office’s management of complaints makes an important contribution to the objects of the Human Rights Act 2019,” Mr Reilly said.
“During 2019-20, the Office reviewed its processes and practices to ensure compliance with the obligations under that Act — including the application of those rights to decisions about complaints.”
The Ombudsman’s 77-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
