Nearly two years ago, the Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass tabled an extensive report into Victoria’s social housing complaint system. On 15 March 2024, the Social housing complaint handling – progress report was tabled, a follow-up on the 17 recommendations in the 2022 report. It notes advances in some areas, but also identifies a lack of clear action from the Victorian Government on much-needed major reforms.

On 7 March 2024, the Ombudsman, Ms Winnie Chiu, announced the completion of a direct investigation into the effectiveness of the 1823 service in handling complaints and enquiries, and made 13 recommendations for improvement to the Efficiency Office (“EO”).

The Ombudsman has written to the European Commission to ask how it decides on and uses artificial intelligence (AI) in its decision making. The Ombudsman noted that while rapid developments in AI can improve the quality and efficiency of work they pose major challenges when it comes to accuracy, potential bias, explainability, and human oversight.

Lundi 19 mars 2024, plusieurs ombudsmans membres de l’IIO - chapitre européen se sont réunis à Bruxelles dans les locaux du Médiateur fédéral, à l’invitation de Marc Bertrand, Médiateur de la Wallonie et de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. A l’ordre du jour, la préparation d’un projet de Guide de valeurs et principes de déontologie pour l’Ombudsman qui sera soumis à l’ensemble des Ombudsmans membres Européens de l’IIO.

The General Secretariat of the International Ombudsman Institute confirms that the Western Australian Ombudsman, Chris Field, has stepped down as President of the IOI.

According to the IOI By-laws, 1st Vice President, Ms Diane Welborn, Ombudsman of Dayton-Montgomery County will serve as President until a new President is elected.

In the interests of its members, the IOI feels compelled to clarify that Mr. Field`s travel activities in question were neither initiated, expected, nor commissioned by the IOI.

At a gala event, the women's magazine "Die Burgenländerin" (in reference to the Austrian province of Burgenland) presented this year's awards to women from the region who are setting examples and leading the way on both small and large occasions. Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz was delighted to receive the award in the category Society and Social Affairs.

On 7 March 2024, the Ombudsman Ms. Winnie Chiu, held a press conference announcing the results of the direct investigation report on "Regulation of Licenced Swimming Pools by Food and Environmental Hygiene Department".

On 8 March 2024, the NSW Ombudsman’s report A map of automated decision-making in the NSW Public Sector was tabled in Parliament. The special report under section 31 of the Ombudsman Act 1974 is an initiative by the NSW Ombudsman to increase visibility in the use of automated decision-making systems across the NSW public sector.