Governing legislation

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Governing legislation

The Ombudsman is empowered by the following legislation (available in full from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website).

ActResponsible MinisterEffect
Accident Compensation Act 1985Minister for Finance, WorkCover & Transport Accident Commission

Empowers the Ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding:

  • authorised agents of the Victorian WorkCover Authority;
  • self-insurers; and
  • certain delegates of the Authority.
Children, Youth and FamiliesAct 2005Minister for Community Services and Minister for Children

Empowers the Ombudsman to investigate complaints made regarding:

  • a range of registered community services whose function is to support children, youth and families;
  • certain authorised persons;
  • authorised assessors; and
  • authorised investigators.
Corrections Act 1986Minister for CorrectionsEmpowers the Ombudsman to investigate complaints concerning the actions of contractors managing prisons or police jails.
Disability Act 2006Minister for Community ServicesEnables the Community Visitors Board to refer certain matters to the Ombudsman to be dealt with.
Freedom of Information Act 1982Attorney-GeneralEnables the community to access information in the possession of government agencies and provides the Ombudsman with specific powers in relation to the investigation of Freedom of Information complaints and other functions.
Ombudsman Act 1973PremierProvides for the appointment of an Ombudsman and details the Ombudsman's role and functions in relation to the investigation of complaints.
Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003Attorney-GeneralProvides a right to complain to the Ombudsman in relation to preventative detention orders and prohibited contact orders.
Transport Act 1983Minister for Public Transport

Empowers the Ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding the actions of authorised officers (ticket inspectors) in exercising statutory duties in the detection of offences

Enables the Ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding the actions of relevant transport safety officers in relation to compliance and enforcement functions and safety audits.

Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001Attorney-General

Empowers the Ombudsman to investigate disclosures of improper conduct by public bodies and public officers, including members of Parliament and municipal councillors.