CHAPTER 3 | organisational governance

INTERNAL ACCOUNTABILITY STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

The        Governor-General appointed Prof. John McMillan as Commonwealth Ombudsman in May 2003 for a five-year period. The Ombudsman's remuneration is determined in accordance with a ruling by the Remuneration Tribunal. The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also the ACT Ombudsman under a Memorandum of Understanding with the ACT Government. The Ombudsman's office remains independent of the ACT Government.

STRATEGIC AND ORGANISATIONAL PLANNING

Each year, the Ombudsman's office develops strategic and business plans, which identify priorities for the year. Progress against these plans is monitored and assessed on a quarterly basis, and adjustments are made accordingly.

Each specialist team and office throughout Australia develops detailed business plans outlining strategies and activities to support the Strategic Plan. The plans are customised to reflect current challenges and relevant issues facing individual teams. These business plans are, in turn, used to develop individual work plans for staff members.

The Strategic Plan for the office is being reviewed and business plans are being developed for 2004–05.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTUAL DEBTS

The Ombudsman is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Government Contractual Debts (Interest) Act 1994 (ACT). See the 'Annual reporting compliance' section in Chapter 2 for more information.