Ombudsman Western Australia Serving Parliament - Serving Western Australians

Receiving, investigating and resolving complaints about State Government agencies, local governments and universities.

Reviewing certain child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities.

Improving public administration for the benefit of all Western Australians through own motion investigations and education and liaison programs with public authorities.

Undertaking a range of additional functions, including statutory inspection and monitoring functions.

Under the relevant national code, the Ombudsman can receive complaints or appeals by overseas students.

The Ombudsman can receive disclosures of public interest information relating to matters of administration, and public officers.

Under a service delivery arrangement between the Ombudsman and the Australian Government, the Ombudsman can investigate complaints about public authorities in the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction that provide services in the Indian Ocean Territories (Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands).

Persons detained under relevant terrorism legislation can make a complaint to the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman inspects the records of the Western Australia Police and the Corruption and Crime Commission to ascertain the extent of compliance with relevant telecommunications interception legislation.

Under the Criminal Organisations Control Act 2012, the Ombudsman monitors and reports on the exercise of powers conferred on the Commissioner of Police and police officers under the legislation for a five year period.

The Ombudsman monitors the Infringement Notices provisions of The Criminal Code and reports on the first 12 months of operation.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman Western Australia resolves complaints about electricity, gas and water services providers. The Ombudsman undertakes the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman. The costs of the Energy and Water Ombudsman are met by industry members.

Chris was appointed Ombudsman in March 2007 and reappointed in 2012 and 2017. He concurrently holds the roles of Energy and Water Ombudsman and Chairman, State Records Commission. In 2016, Chris was elected 2nd Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law at the University of Western Australia. Prior to his appointment as Ombudsman, Chris held a number of senior roles in Western Australia and Victoria in the public and private sectors. Chris holds Arts and Law (Hons) degrees and articled at Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks (now Allens Linklaters).

Mary was appointed Deputy Ombudsman in April 2014 and concurrently holds the role of Deputy Energy and Water Ombudsman. Prior to her appointment Mary worked in a number of senior executive roles in the Office, from February 2008. Mary has more than 30 years’ experience in the public sector, including strategic and corporate leadership roles in line and accountability agencies.

Lisa commenced her role as Principal Assistant Ombudsman Investigations and Legal Services in November 2015. She is a legal practitioner with significant experience in administrative and criminal law, including 14 years as a member of various tribunals.

Alan commenced his role as Principal Assistant Ombudsman Executive Services in June 2017. He has extensive experience in management roles and has been accountable for strategy and financial, and asset management. He has held a number of senior roles in the Western Australian public sector, Government Trading Enterprises and the Not-for-Profit sector.  

Kim commenced her role as an Assistant Ombudsman in June 2008. She has more than 25 years’ experience in government roles, working at the Commonwealth and State levels, in both line and central agencies, and has a strong background in evaluation.

Natarlie joined the office in 2009 and commenced the role of Assistant Ombudsman Reviews in July 2016.  She has worked in the State public sector for over 20 years, and has extensive experience working with the issues of child safety and wellbeing, and family and domestic violence.

Belinda joined the office in 2008 and commenced the role of Assistant Ombudsman Monitoring in August 2014. She has more than 25 years’ experience working in the public sector in financial and performance auditing and leadership roles in both line and accountability agencies.

Michelle joined the Office in 2007 and commenced the role of Assistant Ombudsman in December 2015.  She has more than 18 years’ public sector experience in investigations and complaint handling.

Paula was appointed as an Assistant Ombudsman in April 2017. She has been a legal practitioner for over 20 years; working in the Commonwealth and State public sectors, and in the non-government sector.