The Office of the Yukon Ombudsman has issued the first of two reports into a complaint of unfairness against the Yukon Department of Education from a parent of a student at Hidden Valley Elementary School. The Ombudsman investigation found that the government’s failure to communicate with parents at the school was unfair, depriving parents of the opportunity to take timely action to help their children.

The Accessibility Strategy and its action plan is a part of Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier’s clear vision in making sure the Ombudsman’s office is inclusive to all, in all facets of his work.

IOI President Chris Field PSM was honoured to be asked to join, and address, the formal Closing Ceremony of the inaugural International Conference of Ombudsman in Rome, joining Deputy Head of Cabinet with functions of the Lazio Region, Civita Di Russo; President of the Lazio Regional Council, Antonio Aurigemma; Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Giorgio Silli; and President of the National Coordination of Italian Ombudsmen and Ombudsman of the Lazio Region, Marino Fardelli.

It was a privilege for IOI President Chris Field PSM to address the special event, “Tackling abuse and building a culture of safety: the work of independent authorities in Australia”, organised and hosted by Her Excellency, the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Ms Chiara Porro, on the occasion of President Field’s visit to Rome and the visit of the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Ms Julie Inman Grant.

Immediately prior to the international Ombudsman conference in Rome commencing, IOI President Chris Field PSM was delighted to meet the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, Her Excellency Ms Chiara Porro. Importantly, 2023 marks 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Holy See. It was also President Field’s pleasure to meet the Chargé d'Affaires of the Australian Embassy in Italy, Ms Mary Ellen Miller.

On 27 September 2023, Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass tabled her Investigation into the Department of Transport and Planning’s implementation of the zero and low emission vehicle charge. The report details a range of failures in the State Government’s implementation of the road-user charge for electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles under the Zero and Low Emission Vehicles Act 2021.

The Office of the Ombudsperson for Children in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute organised a two-day workshop on 5 and 6 September 2023, which brought together professionals from various governmental institutions, representatives of the Ministry of Gender Equality and the Prime Minister's Office, as well as NGOs, thus creating a rich and diverse debate.

Join the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC), the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediator's Association (AOMA) for this thought-provoking webinar on "Ombuds in the Digital Age: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities" on Tuesday, 10 October 2023 from 10am - 11:30 am (GMT+2), organised in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute.