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What is the Ombudsman? |
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Who can complain? |
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The Ombudsman is a statutory officer appointed by Parliament to investigate complaints against Government Departments and other official agencies. He is entirely independent of the government of the day. The current Ombudsman is Maiava Iulai Toma. |
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Any individual, company, organization or association with an interest in the subject
matter of complaint may make a complaint. Investigations are made in private. |
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What the Ombudsman can do? |
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What the Ombudsman cannot do? |
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Conduct independent investigation into complaints against actions including failure to act, recommendations and decisions of official agencies which relate to a matter of administration. You may complain against central government departments, government corporations, statutory boards and authorities |
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An Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints against:
- private individuals or companies or other non governmental organizations;
- decisions of the Courts;
- decisions of statutory tribunals.
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May the Ombudsman decline
to investigate a complaint? |
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What happens after the Ombudsman
investigates your complaint? |
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The Ombudsman may refuse to investigate when for example:
- The complaint has an existing remedy or appeal which ought to be used in the first instance.
- The subject matter of the complaint is more than 12 months old.
- There is insufficient personal interest
- If considering all circumstances it is considered further enquiries are not necessary
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If the Ombudsman finds the agency has been at fault in some way, for example, has acted contrary to law or was unreasonable or unjust, the Ombudsman may recommend that action be taken to remedy the situation. If a department will not accept the Ombudsman may take a report to the Prime Minister and the Parliament.
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