ACT Government agencies

The Ombudsman can investigate complaints about the actions and  decisions of ACT Directorates and authorities where an individual feels those actions or decisions have been wrong,  unjust, unlawful, discriminatory or unfair. The Ombudsman can also seek remedies for those affected by administrative deficiencies, and acts to  improve public administration generally.

The Ombudsman has strong investigatory powers. If required,  officers working in government agencies must produce documents and  answer questions under oath during Ombudsman investigations. The ACT  Ombudsman can investigate complaints about the actions or decisions of  many ACT Government agencies, including problems with: parking; public  housing; corrections; debt recovery; dog control; building licenses and inspections;  motor vehicle registry; contract/tender disputes with ACT Government  agencies; public transport; planning, and Legal Aid.

The Ombudsman can't investigate complaints about: politics;  private individuals or companies; decisions of courts or tribunals;  employment disputes; health, disability and young person services (there are special commissioners to deal with these issues); actions of  government ministers and actions of some government business  enterprises.

The Ombudsman accepts complaints from individuals, lawyers,  people from business and community groups and people from other  organisations who feel they have been disadvantaged by an ACT  Government agency's actions or decisions.

If your complaint is found to be justified, the Ombudsman may  recommend a remedy including that the agency reconsiders or changes its  decision; changes its rules or procedures; apologises or where  appropriate, pays compensation for losses caused by the agency's  decision or action.