Thursday, 30 November 2023

Integrity and Oversight Committee

Appointment of a Person to Conduct the Independent Performance Audit of the Victorian Ombudsman

Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (09:49): Pursuant to section 35 of the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003, I table a report on the appointment of a person to conduct the independent performance audit of the Victorian Ombudsman, including an appendix, from the Integrity and Oversight Committee. I move:

That the report be published.

Motion agreed to.

Ryan BATCHELOR: I move:

That the Council take note of the report.

Just briefly, the Ombudsman is appointed under the Ombudsman Act 1973 as an independent officer of the Parliament, and the Ombudsman Act requires an independent performance auditor to be appointed once every four years to conduct an independent performance audit of the Ombudsman and her office. The Integrity and Oversight Committee is responsible under the act for recommending to both houses the person to conduct the audit. Section 24D of the act outlines the qualifications and processes for appointment and for the conduct of the audit. Following a competitive tender process, the committee recommends the appointment of O’Connor Marsden, as outlined in the committee’s report. I commend the report to the house.

Motion agreed to.