The Ombudsman, this month had started the process of consultation with his stakeholders on its new Act which was intended to replace the Current Ombudsman (Further Provisions) Act, 1980. Starting 9th of September 2015, the Ombudsman, and his staff, together with the consultant, Mr Francis Waleanisia, had embarked on the consultation process to get feedback from important stakeholders on the bill. Already three Provincial Centers have been visited, Gizo in the Western Province; Buala, in the Isabel Province and Tulagi in the Central Islands Province.
Auki will be next on the consultation tour program, followed by other provincial centers like Lata, Kira Kira and Taro in the coming weeks of September and October. Guadalcanal will have two separate consultation meetings , one held in Visale on the Western side of Guadalcanal and the other one will be held at Tetere, in the East side, in the Guadalcanal plains.
Feedback from provincial Consultations carried out so far have been positive. Most participants in the three provincial centers so far, have commented and described the Ombudsman proposed new Act as timely and in the right direction, since the current Ombudsman (Further Provision) Act 1980, has outlived its usefulness and that current situations faced within the Public Service have changed dramatically. One participant highlighted that a new legislation to address these situations is a must and cannot be prolonged or delayed any longer, as what has been the case with other proposed government agencies’ laws.
In line with consultation process (after the first 2 provincial consultations) the Ombudsman will be meeting with the consultant and the legal draftsman from the Attorney General’s Chambers to review the draft and offer feedback and legal advice where necessary according to government’s processes in line with the enactment of bills.
The Ombudsman is hoping that at the end of the consultation process, a new vibrant and effective bill should be ready and if things go according to schedule, should be tabled in the next parliament sitting later this year.
Few consultations will be held in Honiara in mid-October for all respective heads of both Government Ministries and Departments, and State -Owned Enterprises.