Ombudsman apologises for writing questions

[mellie]

Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher has apologised to a Senate committee for drafting questions for a Greens senator, describing it as "an error of judgment" and a mistake.

He admitted drafting possible questions for Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young to ask at a Senate estimates hearing earlier this year.

The questions related to the funding level of his office in relation to the increased workload arising from his oversight of complaints from the immigration detention network.


http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/836 ... -questions

So, should we lodge a complaint with our Commonwealth Ombudsman about our Commonwealth Ombudsman then?

http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/


Courtesy of the Canberra Mafia aka GALP


______________________________________________________________________________

[mantra]

I would think it's pretty typical that government departments would draft questions to be asked - he was just caught out so he's had to apologise.

My computer's playing up (again) so I can't read the links - but I'm sure this would have been a regular occurrence under the Coalition also.

A Minister can't ask too many public probing questions about a department under his/her government.

[mellie]

I would think it's pretty typical that government departments would draft questions to be asked - he was just caught out so he's had to apologise.

My computer's playing up (again) so I can't read the links - but I'm sure this would have been a regular occurrence under the Coalition also.

A Minister can't ask too many public probing questions about a department under his/her government.

Uh? :shocked


Mantra, google the responsibilities of a Commonwealth Ombudsman, and tell me if you still feel the same.
The Ombudsman is supposed to be a non-political entity, probably thought he'd have a stab at federal politics, might have thought it was his moment to shine or something.

Colluding with any party, be it Greens, Libs, ALP ...is out of the question Mantra, tell me, if you felt you needed to lodge a complaint with your Commonwealth Ombudsman concerning the administrative actions of government, concerning legislation Bob Brown passed re- changes to our media laws ie Freedom Of Information, how confident would you be consulting with this individual, knowing he's in bed with the Greens?

He should be sacked!

[mantra]

He may not have been in bed with the Greens. It's possible they wanted to ask him questions and he submitted those he thought were appropriate. The Greens' questions may well have been too probative which is why he chose to compile his own.

Mel - nothing surprises me about our Political parties or their "offices" anymore. I don't trust them and don't expect honesty from them. Does anyone?

[mellie]

He may not have been in bed with the Greens. It's possible they wanted to ask him questions and he submitted those he thought were appropriate. The Greens' questions may well have been too probative which is why he chose to compile his own.

Mel - nothing surprises me about our Political parties or their "offices" anymore. I don't trust them and don't expect honesty from them. Does anyone?

So we bend rules to suit ourselves?

Check this out....

http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org ... -ombudsman

This government really needs to hand-over.

[mellie]

Greens pleased to be working with the Ombudsman
Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown, Sarah Hanson-Young
Wednesday 12th October 2011, 3:30pm
Share in Democracy & Governance


Following a request from the Senate's Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the Commonwealth Ombudsman has released extensive documentation about the Ombudsman's role, activities and outcomes, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown and Immigration spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

The documentation includes the release of information on immigration issues as well as the role of Defence Force Ombudsman and Taxation Ombudsman, following questions posed to the Ombudsman by Senators Hanson-Young and Brown at the Ombudsman's request.

"As with best media practice, the Greens are concerned to protect reliable sources seeking confidentiality. Nevertheless, in the public sector, this can always be overridden by Freedom of Information," Senator Brown said.

"The request by the Ombudsman to have their questions put to his office was considered by the Greens to be an important release of information into the public arena which might otherwise not have occurred," Senator Hanson-Young said.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman is a statutory authority, independent of government.

http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org ... -ombudsman

[mellie]

So, can any of you see what they are trying to do here?

-Smirk

____________________________________

ICAC inquiry into the integrity and conduct re- 3 individuals, Greens Bob Brown, Sarah H.Young, and the Ombudsman...all of which should have known better, this and have been colluding amongst themselves, by their own admission, even before this recent incident.

-Grins from ear to ear...

[mellie]

So, now Greens are pleased to be working with our Commonwealth Ombudsman, who do we lodge our complaints with concerning integrity, and constitutional changes re- our Commonwealth Ombudsman's recent change in job description?

http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org ... -ombudsman

President Bob Ombudsman from the Greens?
ha ha ha

[mellie]

http://www.openaustralia.org/regmem/sca ... _10696.pdf

I Think you had better take a look at this Mantra...

[mellie]

http://www.openaustralia.org/regmem/sca ... _10696.pdf

I Think you had better take a look at this Mantra...

And on 28 may 2011, Did the Australian greens not write to the treasurer, asking he reconsider an increase in the 2011-12 funding for the commonwealth ombudsman?