AUSTRALIA | Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass reflects on her 10-year term

Reflections by Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass on her 10-year term:

I will shortly come to the end of my 10-year term as Victoria’s Ombudsman. Many people have asked me what I have enjoyed most, or least, about the job; about my most memorable cases, what I hoped to achieve and what I will be leaving undone. What works within our integrity framework and what still needs fixing.

My report attempts to answer those questions.

It is thematic rather than chronological, and it is intended to be constructive, as well as reflective. While it chronicles some tensions with the government and agencies, in many ways that underscores the nature and strength of the institution. I offer these reflections in a spirit of improvement; hoping, in the interests of the public we all serve, they will provide food for thought and rationale for change.

I leave the role with both pride and sadness. I will miss it terribly: I think I have had the best job in the State. But it is right that it is a fixed term, and it is time to go.

There is much to be proud of in our integrity system, not least that Victoria has had an Ombudsman for over 50 years, with a rare level of independence, the powers of a Royal Commission and the ability to hold the powerful to account. To listen to and resolve people’s complaints, large and small. To consider human rights, investigate systemic issues and make recommendations to make Victoria a fairer place.

Being the Ombudsman can be a lonely job, carrying both the credit and the blame for all that is done in your name. It is not the same as heading an agency or department: you are the role, and the role is you. The personal is entwined with the professional, and therefore I offer more personal reflection than is customary in a report tabled in Parliament.

While the role is deeply personal, every achievement listed here rests on the shoulders of many. A dedicated leadership team and highly committed, values-driven professional staff make all the difference. You know who you are, and I thank you.

To read the full report, kindly click here or refer to the PDF version of the report in the download section below.

Source: Victorian Ombudsman, Australia