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May 10, 2023 402 likes •505 views

Insights & experiences from investigating complaints about the actions of public authorities and accessing official information Leo Donnelly, Deputy Ombudsman, New Zealand Office of the Ombudsman Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

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Office of the Ombudsman Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

Insights & experiences from investigating complaints about the actions of public authorities and accessing official information

Leo Donnelly, Deputy Ombudsman, New Zealand

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Office of the Ombudsman Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

“Establishing the truth – it shouldn’t be a game of hide and seek”

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TRANSPARENCY ENABLES

Accountability
Citizen participation and

engagement

Informed citizen choice
Wrongs to be put right
Public trust and confidence

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4 Tiers of records relating to a decision-making process

4th tier – review of final decisions when they go wrong 3rd tier – final decisions 2nd tier – analysis, options, advice leading to final decision 1st tier – base records

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HIDE THE RECORDS

“We can’t respond to you because the Minister’s political advisor has taken the file and says we can’t have it back until after the election”

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DESTROY THE RECORDS

“The Minister’s office has directed us to destroy all advice and drafts inconsistent with the final decision – what do we do?”

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DON’T CREATE RECORDS

“An immigration officer should not record any reasons or rationale for refusing to consider the request in either AMS notes or in the communication with the client”

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DON’T CREATE RECORDS

“The rationale and reasons for the decision should not be recorded, either on the template, in the notes or in communication with the client”

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Insights & experiences from investigating complaints about the actions of public authorities and accessing official information

“Establishing the truth – it shouldn’t be a game of hide and seek”

TRANSPARENCY ENABLES

engagement

4th tier – review of final decisions when they go wrong 3rd tier – final decisions 2nd tier – analysis, options, advice leading to final decision 1st tier – base records

HIDE THE RECORDS

“We can’t respond to you because the Minister’s political advisor has taken the file and says we can’t have it back until after the election”

DESTROY THE RECORDS

“The Minister’s office has directed us to destroy all advice and drafts inconsistent with the final decision – what do we do?”

DON’T CREATE RECORDS

“An immigration officer should not record any reasons or rationale for refusing to consider the request in either AMS notes or in the communication with the client”

DON’T CREATE RECORDS

“The rationale and reasons for the decision should not be recorded, either on the template, in the notes or in communication with the client”

In the end everything turns on the quality of the record. Records reveal the truth.