Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for her supplementary question. It is my view that the Ombudsman has jurisdiction with respect to Commonwealth officials, wheresoever they operate. It is also my view that the Ombudsman has jurisdiction with respect to subcontractors working under the direction of the Commonwealth. I will get that looked at, to make sure that my view is correct. But it is a view I am not alone in holding. If that view is correct, it would beg the question of why you would spell out what the existing rights are. It is my view that the Ombudsman already has the right to comment on and report, publicly or privately as he chooses, as he wants. You ask me, why isn’t it spelt out? I have just said to you that the Ombudsman has the oversight right already. If your question then is whether we will require him to make some reports, we will give some consideration to that.