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Our history

We have been helping Victorians resolve their complaints with government organisations since 1973.

The first parliamentary 'Ombudsman' in the western world was created in Sweden in 1809.

An Ombudsman is a constitutionally independent officer of the Parliament. Their role is to keep government and public organisations in check.

They do this by investigating complaints about government, the conduct of officials, or broad areas of public interest. Their aim is to improve public administration and decision making.

In 1962, New Zealand was the first country outside of Scandinavia to appoint an Ombudsman. Victoria was the third state in Australia. The first was in Western Australia (1971) and the second in South Australia (1972).

Since 1973, the Victorian Ombudsman has drawn attention to significant public issues of concern.

Timeline

October 1973

The Office of the Ombudsman is established under the Ombudsman Act 1973 (Vic). John Vincent Dillon is appointed as Victorian Ombudsman.

1977

The Ombudsman's powers are extended to look into complaints about local Councils. This occurs under the Ombudsman (Municipalities) Act 1976 (Vic).

1980

 Charles Norman (Norm) Geschke appointed Ombudsman.

1995

Barry Perry appointed Ombudsman.

2002

Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 (Vic) commences. The Ombudsman is given the role of investigating - and overseeing investigations of - whistleblower complaints.

March 2004

George Brouwer appointed Ombudsman.

2004

The Office of Police Integrity established. The Director, Police Integrity, replaces the Police Ombudsman. The same person who holds the office as Ombudsman is the Director, Police Integrity.

2006

The Victorian Parliament introduces the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 2006 (Vic). The Ombudsman has the function to look into complaints about whether a public organisation has acted compatibly with the Charter.

2008

Appointment of a separate Director of the Office of Police Integrity. The appointment separates the Office of Police Integrity from the Ombudsman's office.
George Brouwer continues appointment as Ombudsman.

December 2012

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) established. The Commission deals with complaints about Victoria Police and corruption by public officials.

IBAC also becomes the clearing house for whistleblower (protected disclosure) complaints about improper conduct. It can refer matters to the Ombudsman for investigation.

March 2014

Deborah Glass OBE appointed Ombudsman.

January 2020

The Ombudsman Act is amended to create new functions of:

  • reviewing complaint handling practices in public organisations
  • conducting training in the community and the public sector
  • resolving complaints by conciliation and mediation.

Under the newly-named Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (Vic), the Ombudsman retains the function of investigating public interest complaints about improper conduct referred by IBAC.