As the Victorian Ombudsman turns 50 this year, it’s hard not to reflect on the incredible journey it has had. From a ten-year struggle to get off the ground in the ’60s to watching over the human rights of Victorians during a global pandemic, the office has shown a remarkable resilience and adaptability. Founded with the intent to rectify the imbalance between the power of the State and ordinary people, its purpose is as salient now as it was in the beginning.
The tale starts with an adventurous honeymoon. In 1963, Alan Missen, an active member of the Victorian Liberal Party, visited New Zealand Ombudsman Sir Guy Powles. This excursion proved to be more than marital bliss; it was the catalyst for a ten-year campaign that would culminate in the birth of the Victorian Ombudsman. A debate on the appropriate powers and characteristics of an Ombudsman brewed until 1973 when Labor leader Clive Stoneham and Country Party Legislative Councillor Michael Clarke received a boost. The Liberal Party’s new leader, Rupert Hamer, took the reins and steered the passing of the Ombudsman Act, finally establishing the long-anticipated office.
The first Ombudsman, Sir John Dillon, had the challenging task of establishing not just the office’s logistics but also its credibility and reputation. One could say he was not just laying down the law but also selling the service and its first ‘tenant’ to the public. Since then, the office has welcomed Ombudsmen from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique perspective and tackling the era-specific challenges they inherited.
Over the decades, the office has had its fingers in many pies, both big and small. They’ve taken on tasks as modest as saving a wooden newspaper kiosk at Clifton Hill railway station in 1991 to addressing women’s complaints about the inadequate provision of toilets at public venues. On the grander scale, they’ve overseen the Victoria Police Ceja task force that investigated corruption allegations against former drug squad members and inquired into MP Geoff Shaw’s misuse of his parliamentary vehicle.
The scope of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction has been like a moving target over the years. Initially focusing on local government issues from 1977, the office later delved into police complaints, a significant part of its workload until 2013 when it was shifted to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). The Whistleblowers Protection Act of 2002 extended the Ombudsman’s role further, allowing it to investigate whistleblower complaints. In 2006, human rights were formally enshrined in Victoria’s law, giving the Ombudsman a new lens through which to view and assess complaints.
Despite the evolution, the fundamentals remain the same. Fifty years on, the Victorian Ombudsman continues to fill a vital role in safeguarding the rights of ordinary Victorians. In a world where conflicts of interest, corruption, and failure of government departments are sadly still prevalent, the office’s purpose and relevance are as crucial as ever. The years may have brought changes, but the Ombudsman has demonstrated an ability to adapt and continue to serve the people. Here’s to another 50 years of holding the powers-that-be to account.
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