I am pleased to announce that on Thursday, 30 November 2023 Her Excellency the Governor appointed Ms Emily Strickland to the Office of Ombudsman for South Australia. Ms Strickland will commence as Ombudsman in January 2024 after I retire at the end of this year.

Ms Strickland has extensive experience in public law, including over six years as Deputy Ombudsman at Ombudsman SA and a period as Acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner. Most recently, Ms Strickland has been Director of the Screening Unit at the Department for Human Services.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Attorney-General’s Department and the Statutory Officers’ Committee for conducting an efficient process to find my replacement before my retirement.

I extend my congratulations to Ms Strickland and look forward to her beginning her tenure as the State’s seventh Ombudsman in the New Year.

Mr Wayne Lines, SA Ombudsman