These decisions show the types of issues we deal with and what the Ombudsman expects of agencies, including recommendations for administrative improvement.
February
City of Burnside - Breach of council member code of conduct (2016/08185) (PDF, 62.5 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that an elected member had failed to comply with a council resolution.
City of Onkaparinga - Reimbursement of golf club membership (2016/04000) (PDF, 169.7 KB)
Investigation of a number of issues pertaining to the council's reimbursement of its CEO's golf club membership.
TAFE SA - Maladministration in public administration by former director (2016/02696) (PDF, 103.5 KB)
Investigation of a report that a former director of TAFE had committed maladministration by making an irregular payment to the Berri Barmera Council.
March
HomeStart - Maladministration in public administration (2016/08293) (PDF, 170.9 KB)
Investigation as to whether HomeStart committed maladministration through excessive expenditure on alcohol.
Roxby Council - Maladministration in public administration (2016/00616) (PDF, 305.2 KB)
Investigation of allegations of maladministration in relation to procurement, inappropriate expenditure, bullying and harassment.
South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - Conduct of a bailiff (2017/00211) (PDF, 85.0 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that SACAT failed to properly conduct an investigation into a complaint alleging inappropriate behaviour by a bailiff when executing a court order.
April
District Council of Peterborough - Investigation of complaint (2016/03155) (PDF, 119.2 KB)
Investigation regarding the way the council dealt with complaint, including the complaint process and a refusal to undertake an internal review.
Public Trustee - Unreasonable management of funds (2016/06774) (PDF, 138.1 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that the Public Trustee failed to appropriately handle the financial affairs of the complainant, resulting in the incurring of a tax debt.
May
District Council of Coober Pedy - Misconduct and maladministration - Report 2 (2015/09623) (PDF, 5.6 MB)
Investigation of allegations of misconduct and maladministration against a former Chief Executive Officer and Finance and Administration Manager of the council.
June
City of Adelaide - Breach of council member code of conduct (2016/10027) (PDF, 107.5 KB)
Own initiative investigation regarding an alleged failure to declare and appropriately deal with a conflict of interest.
City of Onkaparinga - Unreasonable investigation of code of conduct complaints (2016/04481) (PDF, 113.6 KB)
Investigation of a complaint regarding a resolution passed by the council in relation to the findings of an investigation undertaken by an external investigator about alleged Code of Conduct breaches by an elected member.
City of West Torrens - Misconduct in public administration (2016/04845) (PDF, 76.9 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that a council member did not appropriately deal with a conflict of interest.
ReturnToWorkSA - Failure to appropriately investigate complaint (2016/09691) (PDF, 69.8 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that ReturnToWorkSA had breached the Service Standards by failing to properly deal with a number of complaints.
TAFE SA - Wrongful failure by the TAFE SA Board to keep records (2016/05611) (PDF, 95.4 KB)
Investigation of allegations that TAFE SA failed to keep accurate records regarding an executive employment decision.
July
City of Marion - Misconduct in public administration (2016/06290) (PDF, 97.7 KB)
Investigations of allegations the CEO improperly influenced the withdrawal of an expiation notice issued to a council resident.
Mount Barker District Council - Breach of council member code of conduct (2016/10116) (PDF, 153.0 KB)
Own initiative investigation regarding an alleged improper disclosure of confidential information.
August
Veterinary Surgeons Board of South Australia - Misconduct and maladministration by former presiding member (2016/07643) (PDF, 255.0 KB)
Investigation of allegations the former Presiding Member made unauthorised payments to board members, including herself, failed to take appropriate action when the propriety of the payments was called into question by the board’s Registrar and submitted two expiation notices for payment in circumstances where it was wholly inappropriate to do so.
September
City of Mount Gambier - Failure to ensure issuing of Certificate of Occupancy (2017/03984) (PDF, 106.3 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that the City of Mount Gambier had failed to issue a City of Occupancy for a commercial building, which was required for legal occupancy under the Development Act 1993.
Department for Correctional Services - Unjust and oppressive separation of a prisoner (2017/01854) (PDF, 162.6 KB)A
Investigation of a complaint from a prisoner concerning the circumstances and duration of his separation from other prisoners within G Division of Yatala Labour Prison.
October
City of Onkaparinga - Breach of council member code of conduct (2017/00046) (PDF, 107.0 KB)
Investigation of alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Council Members by Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg.
City of West Torrens - Breach of council member code of conduct (2017/03918) (PDF, 67.4 KB)
Investigation of a report that Mayor John Trainer had failed to declare and appropriately manage a conflict of interest.
Kangaroo Island Council - Breach of Whistleblower's Protection Act 1993 (2017/06044; 2017/06633) (PDF, 95.2 KB)
Investigation of complaints that the council had disclosed a whistleblower's identity, contrary to the Whistleblowers Protection Act 1993.
November
City of Mount Gambier - Failure to take action (2016/09529) (PDF, 133.5 KB)
Investigation of a complaint regarding a development process.
Department for Correctional Services - Failure to ensure that a prisoner understood the induction process (2017/06456) (PDF, 75.1 KB)
Investigation of a complaint that the Department for Correctional Services had failed to induct a prisoner and failed to assist the prisoner to make telephone contact with family members in line with prison procedure.
December
City of Mount Gambier - Failure to disclose business interests (2017/01733) (PDF, 92.9 KB)
Investigation of allegations involving the conduct of Mayor Andrew Lee of the City of Mount Gambier relating to his involvement in a State-funded trip to China and his subsequent acquisition of an interest in a South Australian winery.
City of Unley - Misconduct in public administration, breach of confidentiality - Cr Bob Schnell (2017/03847) (PDF, 76.2 KB)
Investigation of allegations that an elected member improperly revealed confidential information to a journalist.
City of Victor Harbor - Disclosure of confidential information - Cr Peter Charles (2017/04344) (PDF, 78.2 KB)
Investigation of allegations an elected member improperly disclosed confidential information.
Department for Correctional Services and Central Adelaide Local Health Network (South Australian Prison Health Service) - Wrongful placement and delay in providing medication (2016/02044) (PDF, 273.8 KB)
Investigation of a complaint regarding a prison admission process and an unreasonable delay in providing a prisoner with necessary medication.
