You will be aware that the Government proposes to amend the Ombudsman Act in relation to a number of matters.

One of the amendments proposed to be effected relates to the tabling of reports of the Ombudsman. At present, the Ombudsman Act requires reports made by the Ombudsman under section 27 or section 31 of the Act to be given to the Minister for presentation to Parliament. The practice has been that the Minister responsible for the portfolio to which the report relates tables the report.

It is proposed to amend the Act in respect of the tabling arrangements for these reports in order to facilitate prompt tabling. The amendment will provide that the reports are to be made directly to the Presiding Officers of Parliament, and the Presiding Officers are to table the report on the first sitting day following receipt of the report or, if Parliament is not sitting, the Presiding Officers are to release the report as soon as practicable (the amendment would provide for the report to attract privilege in this event).

I consider that it would be desirable, in the spirit of the Agreement with the Independent Members of the Legislative Assembly, to introduce certain administrative changes prior to the enactment of legislation to amend the Ombudsman Act. Reports will of course still be presented by the Ombudsman to the Minister for presentation to Parliament, and the practice of the portfolio Minister tabling the report will continue until the legislative amendments are made.

Where reports recommend that they be made public forthwith, I will arrange for their release at the earliest available opportunity. However, the tabling of the report by the portfolio Minister should in any case be effected on the first sitting day of Parliament following the receipt of the report from the Ombudsman.

I would appreciate it if you would advise your department of the need to implement these arrangements immediately.

Yours sincerely

N F Greiner MP