National / ACT

The Ombudsman in Australia, a National Lecture by Professor John McMillan, in Canberra and online

National Administrative Law Lecture

Wednesday, 18 October 2023, 5.30pm (AEDT), a hybrid event held in person in Canberra and online

 The Ombudsman in Australia

National Lecture by Professor John McMillan AO,

Chaired by Iain Anderson, Commonwealth Ombudsman

Australian Ombudsman offices have commenced celebrating their fiftieth anniversaries. As a durable Australian administrative law institution, Ombudsman offices have popularised more broadly the benefits of complaint handling and external oversight in government and industry. Controversy surrounding the office has been infrequent but not unknown – sometimes for being too assertive, and other times for being ineffectual.

Broader institutional debates have also arisen. How should the financial independence of the office be assured? What is the relationship of the office to Parliament and to other integrity institutions? What criteria should apply to selection of an Ombudsman?

This lecture continues a National Administrative Law Lecture theme of revisiting important elements of the administrative law system – courts (Justice Stephen Gageler AC), tribunals (Professor Robin Creyke AO), and now the Ombudsman (Professor John McMillan AO).

Professor John McMillan AO has been both Commonwealth Ombudsman and Acting NSW Ombudsman. He has had a long-standing academic career at the Australian National University College of Law, and is a former President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law.

Date:     Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Time:     5.30pm (AEDT), (Qld 4:30 pm; SA 5:00 pm; WA 2:30pm)

 Venue:  Clayton Utz, Level 10, Nishi Building, 2 Phillip Law Street, New Acton, Canberra

and online

Cost:     Admission is free to attend (AIAL members and non- members) however it is necessary to register.

For in person attendance at Clayton Utz please book via the TryBooking link:

https://www.trybooking.com/CMBEO

For virtual attendance via Microsoft Teams please book via the TryBooking link:

https://www.trybooking.com/CMBFS

Inquiries can be directed to the AIAL Secretariat on 02 6290 1505 or at aial@commercemgt.com.au

CLE/CPD points are available if this webinar is relevant to your immediate or long term needs in relation to your professional development and practice of the law. Please contact your local law society for further details. In WA, contact AIAL WA Chapter