Freedom of Information Act 1982

PART VIIB - INVESTIGATIONS AND COMPLAINTS  

Division 2 - Information Commissioner investigations  

Subdivision C - Decision to investigate  

SECTION 74   Information Commissioner investigations - transfer to Ombudsman  

Scope

74(1)    
This section applies if the Information Commissioner is satisfied that a complaint about an action could be more effectively or appropriately dealt with:

(a)    by the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976 ; or

(b)    

by the Ombudsman under a particular Norfolk Island law.

Example 1:

A complaint about the way in which the Information Commissioner has dealt with an IC review.

Example 2:

A complaint relates to an action under this Act, but is part of a complaint that relates to other matters that can be more appropriately dealt with by the Ombudsman.

Transfer of complaints to Ombudsman

74(2)    
The Information Commissioner:

(a)    must consult the Ombudsman about the complaint with a view to avoiding inquiries being conducted into that matter by both the Information Commissioner and the Ombudsman; and

(b)    may decide not to investigate the action, or not to continue to investigate the action.

74(3)    
If the Information Commissioner decides not to investigate, or not to continue to investigate, the action under paragraph (2)(b) , the Information Commissioner must:

(a)    transfer the complaint to the Ombudsman; and

(b)    give the Ombudsman any information or documents that relate to the complaint in the possession, or under the control, of the Information Commissioner; and

(c)    notify the complainant in writing that the complaint has been transferred.

74(4)    
A notice under paragraph (3)(c) must state the reasons for the Information Commissioner's decision.

74(5)    
If paragraph (1)(a) applies, a complaint transferred under subsection (3) is taken to be a complaint made to the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act 1976 .

74(6)    

If paragraph (1)(b) applies, a complaint transferred under subsection (3) is taken to be a complaint made to the Ombudsman under the Norfolk Island law concerned.

Note:

The Information Commissioner may make a decision under this section to investigate only part of a complaint (see section 71 ).