Following the passage of the Water Services Act 2012, the existing Energy Ombudsman Western Australia has become the Energy and Water Ombudsman Western Australia and therefore investigates complaints concerning the provision of services by electricity, gas and water services providers.

Undertaking Effective Investigations, written by Gareth Jones, provides a comprehensive overview of the key skills that NHRI investigators require in order to conduct impartial and thorough investigations.

Ontario Ombudsman André Marin hosted his seventh annual investigative training course, Sharpening Your Teeth (SYT), in Toronto from January 20-22, 2014.

In order to strengthen a shared culture of fundamental rights within the European Union and the effective enforcement of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, the European Commission initiated a call for proposals to promote information and training activities which improve the knowledge and understanding of the scope and application of the Charter.

On January 29, 2014, the Office of the Ombudsman was hosting a meeting with dr. Asma Jilani Jahangir, a Pakistani lawyer and activist in the field of human rights protection.

Following the resignation of Mr. Alex Brenninkmeijer, a vacancy has occurred on the European Regional Board of the IOI. At the recent meeting of the European Board in Brussels, it was agreed that the preferred option for filling the vacancy left by Mr Brenninkmeijer’s resignation was an electronic ballot. 

In an interview with Radio Australia, Peter Masi, former Ombudsman of Papua New Guinea (PNG), commented on the proposed legislation for an independent Commission of Corruption and welcomed a recent ruling of the PNG Supreme Court on this matter.

During the 2012-2013 financial year a range of agencies authorised and completed controlled operations under the Act in New South Wales.