The Tasmanian Ombudsman: The Problems of Resource Allocation

M Jarman

1994 (Tas) 2 AAL

The paper focuses on the problem that depleted resources and staffing cutbacks have had specifically upon the Tasmanian Ombudsman's Office, and more generally on the perceived theoretical functions of an Ombudsman. In particular, that a lack of resources has affected the credibility, independence and overall functioning of the Office of the Ombudsman to the detriment of both the potential individual complainant and also to systematic change in the public administrative system. This being the case despite attempts by the Office to innovate procedures to mitigate the effects of inadequate funding. The paper further identifies some solutions as to how the Office of the Ombudsman, especially the Tasmanian Office, can operate successfully, meeting the potential existing in the Ombudsman Act 1978 (Tas), whilst still subject to budgetary and staff restrictions. The point being to counter the perceived need to split the traditional functions of the Ombudsman, arguing that the Ombudsman can be both a case worker and an agent of systematic change.