On 8 October 2024, the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC), in collaboration with the IOI, held a webinar in celebration of the Ombuds Day 2024 under the theme "Ombuds: Here to Hear". In case you missed the Ombuds Day 2024 webinar or wish to revisit it, you can access the recording of the webinar on YouTube.

At the 27th Presentation Ceremony of The Ombudsman’s Awards on 31 October 2024, The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, presented the Grand Award to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, an Award for Public Organisation to both the Social Welfare Department and the Water Supplies Department, the Award on Mediation to the Housing Department, the Customer Services Award to the Immigration Department, and the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award to the Hospital Authority. Individual Awards were also given to 79 public officers.

The NSW Ombudsman’s report - Review of the DCJ Complaint System in respect of its Aboriginal Child Protection functions, was tabled in Parliament on 6 November. The report follows a comprehensive review of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) system for handing complaints from, or involving, Aboriginal families in the child protection system. The review focused on understanding DCJ’s complaint handling system, the foundational elements underpinning it and how well it is operating in practice.

Victorians made 18,031 complaints about their experiences with public organisations in 2023-24, according to the Victorian Ombudsman’s annual report tabled in Parliament on 31 October 2024.

On 31 October 2024, the Ombudsman published the findings of the second ‘own initiative’ investigation, which focuses on the administration of carers’ needs assessments by 4 Local Authorities in Wales – Caerphilly County Borough Council, Ceredigion County Council, Flintshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council. 

The Office of the Ombudsman has in the past week been to eight Area Development Committees (ADCs) in Nkhata Bay district with Mobile Accountability Clinics. The Office has been conducting meetings with about 40 members of each ADC and later held public rallies, raising awareness about the functions of the office and how local communities can utilize its services.

The Office of the Ombudsman of Punjab is pleased to announce that Ms. Ayesha Hamid has been appointed as the 9^th Ombudsman of Punjab. With an illustrious career in law and a strong commitment to public service, Ms. Hamid brings a wealth of experience and integrity to this important role.

New Zealand Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has again issued a stinging criticism of Oranga Tamariki this time over failing to properly investigate reports of assaults and violence against pre-school and primary-aged children. Peter Boshier began an investigation after receiving a complaint from a family member of the children about the way Oranga Tamariki responded to reports of concern.