Source: http://paclii.org/vu/legis/num_act/oa1998114/
Timestamp: 2020-02-29 11:58:07
Document Index: 157091566

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 2', 'ART 3', 'ART 4', 'ART 7', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 6', 'art 5']

Ombudsman Act 1998
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PART 2 - QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, ETC.
PART 3 - FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE OMBUDSMAN
PART 4 - COMPLAINTS AND PROCEEDINGS
Division 1 - Procedures
24. Power to enter premises etc
Division 2 - Disclosures
31. Power to refer to Public Prosecutor etc
33. Publicising proceedings, reports etc
Division 4 -Reports
Division 5 – Other maters
37. Power to participate in other enquiries etc
PART 7 - OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
48. Improper influence etc
55. Office subject to audit of Auditor General
Assent 08/01/99
Commencement 11/01/99
Being an Act to provide for the functions, powers, procedures and immunities of the Ombudsman in addition to those provided for in the Constitution, and for the purposes of giving effect to the principles of Chapter 10 (Leadership Code) of the Constitution and the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998, and for other purposes relating to the Ombudsman.
“conduct” except in relation to enquiries conducted by the Ombudsman into the conduct of a leader includes:
(a) any action or inaction relating to a matter of administration; and
(b) any alleged action or inaction relating to a matter of administration;
“enquiry” includes an investigation under Part 5 of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998;
“government agency” means:
(b) a local government council; or
(c) a municipal council; or
(d) a department, agency or instrumentality of the Government or a local government council or a municipal council; or
(e) a ministerial department; or
(f) a public authority; or
(g) a state service; or
(h) a body that is wholly or mainly supported out of the public moneys of Vanuatu; or
(i) a body if all, or the majority, of the members of the body’s controlling authority are appointed by the President, the Council of Ministers or a Minister; or
(j) a company incorporated under the Companies Act [CAP 191] in which the Government has an interest; or
(k) an authority, body or service established by or under an Act, that the President, acting on, and in accordance with, the advice of the Council of Ministers, declares by notice in the Gazette to be a government agency for the purposes of this Act;
“government member” means any member of Parliament recognized by the Parliament as being generally committed to supporting the Government in the Parliament;
“leader” means:
(a) the leaders referred to in Article 67 of the Constitution; or
(b) the persons declared to be leaders under section 5 of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998;
“Leader of the Opposition” means the member of Parliament (if any) recognized by the Parliament as being the principal spokesman on behalf of those members of the Parliament who are not generally committed to support the Government in the Parliament;
“local government council” means those bodies established by the Decentralization Act No. 1 of 1994 or any enactment that amends or replaces that Act;
“ministerial department” means a ministry of the Government or a department within a ministry;
“municipal council” means a council established by the Municipalities Act [CAP 126];
“Ombudsman” means the Ombudsman established by Article 61 of the Constitution;
“opposition member” means any member of Parliament recognized by the Parliament as not being generally committed to supporting the Government in the Parliament;
“President” means the President of the Republic of Vanuatu;
“public authority” means any body, authority or instrumentality (corporate or unincorporate):
(a) established by or under an Act or administrative act for public or official purposes, other than a ministerial department; or
“public servant” means any person employed in or acting in any office in the public service;
“public service” means those persons employed in the ministries, departments, state appointed offices, agencies and instruments of the Government of Vanuatu as are designated by the Prime Minister pursuant to an enactment and, includes a director-general and director of a ministry or department of Government;
“report of the Ombudsman” or “Ombudsman’s report” means any written statement prepared by the Ombudsman after due enquiry into a justified complaint over which he or she has jurisdiction, and includes annexures or exhibits referred to in the statement;
“state service” includes:
(a) the public service; and
(b) the police force including the Vanuatu mobile force and prison services; and
(c) any other service exercising purely state functions.
2. (1) Subject to Article 63 (4) of the Constitution, the provisions of this Act do not in any way limit or affect:
(a) the provisions of any other law under which any remedy or right of appeal is provided for any person; or
(b) any procedures providing for the enquiry into or investigation of any matter.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS OF
3. (1) The Ombudsman is appointed under the Constitution, for 5 years, by the President after consultation with:
(b) the Speaker of Parliament; and
(c) the leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament; and
(d) the chairman of the National Council of Chiefs; and
(e) the chairmen of the local government councils; and
(f) the chairmen of the Public Service Commission and the Judicial Service Commission.
(a) is a member of Parliament, the National Council of Chiefs or a local government council; or
(b) holds any other public office; or
(c) exercises a position of responsibility within a political party.
(a) has a knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the culture, traditions and values of Ni-Vanuatu people; and
(b) is of high integrity and competence; and
(c) has an appropriate academic qualification and suitable experience in the public or private sector; and
(d) is politically independent; and
(e) is capable of discharging his or her constitutional duties without fear or favour; and
(f) is of high standing in the eyes of the community.
4. (1) The Ombudsman’s salary and other conditions of employment are to be determined by the President. In doing so, the President is to act on, and in accordance with, the advice of the Council of Ministers given after receiving a report from the Public Service Commission.
5. The Ombudsman is eligible for reappointment after the expiration of his or her term of appointment.
6. (1) The Ombudsman must not during the term of his or her appointment:
(a) except on leave granted by the Public Service Commission, or because of illness, absent himself or herself from duty for more than 21 consecutive days or more than 28 days in any 12 month period; or
(b) acquire by way of gift or otherwise, or hold in any manner, any interest in any state property, or solicit, accept or receive any other benefit in addition to his or her terms and conditions of employment; or
(c) produce reports containing inflammatory language not in keeping with the professionalism expected of the office; or
(d) make allegations of criminal wrongdoing against any person without stating what criminal offence or offences may have been committed and supplying evidence to support the allegation.
(2) If the Ombudsman contravenes a provision of subsection (1), the Ombudsman is taken to be guilty of a breach of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998 and is liable to be punished in accordance with Part 6 of that Act.
7. The Ombudsman may resign by giving the President a signed resignation notice at least 3 months before the Ombudsman’s proposed resignation date.
TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN
8. (1) The President may terminate the appointment of the Ombudsman after consultation with the parties identified in Article 61 (1) of the Constitution if:
(a) the Ombudsman is declared bankrupt; or
(e) a conviction is made against the Ombudsman under the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998 and he or she is dismissed from office.
(2) The appointment of the Ombudsman can not be terminated in any other way.
(3) Two medical practitioners must certify the Ombudsman is incapacitated from performing his or her duties. One medical practitioner is to be nominated by the President and the other is to be nominated by the Ombudsman or his or her personal representative.
(4) A finding of gross misconduct against the Ombudsman must be made by at least 3 members of a tribunal appointed by the President and consisting of:
(a) be given a fair opportunity to make representations to the tribunal about all allegations against him or her (the detail of which must have previously been supplied to him or her in writing); and
(b) be legally represented (if he or she so desires).
9. (1) The President may, in accordance with the procedures under Article 61(1) of the Constitution, appoint a suitably qualified person to act as the Ombudsman if:
(a) the office of Ombudsman is vacant; or
(2) A person acting as the Ombudsman must continue to do so until the end of the period for which he or she was appointed. However, if the person was not appointed to act for a specified period, the person must continue to act until his or her appointment is revoked by those persons who appointed him or her or until the Ombudsman returns to office.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the person acting as the Ombudsman:
(a) resigns as the acting Ombudsman; or
(b) is for any other reason unable to perform the functions of the office of the Ombudsman.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE OMBUDSMAN
10. (1) The Ombudsman must perform the functions of his or her office, and exercise the powers relating to the office, as provided for by the Constitution and by this or any other Act.
11. (1) The Ombudsman has the following functions:
(a) to enquire into any conduct on the part of any government agency;
(b) to enquire into any defects in any law or administrative practice appearing from any matter being enquired into;
(c) to enquire into any case of an alleged or suspected discriminatory practice by a government agency;
(d) in respect of conduct of a leader occurring on or before the 1st day of July 1998, to enquire into any case of alleged or suspected breach of Chapter 10 (Leadership Code) of the Constitution;
(e) in respect of conduct of a leader occurring after 1st July 1998, to conduct an investigation in accordance with Part 5 of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998;
(f) to undertake mediation in accordance with section 13.
(a) on the complaint of a person or body referred to in Article 62 (1) (a) or (b) of the Constitution; or
(4) To avoid doubt, conduct on the part of any officer, employee, member or agent of a government agency in his or her capacity as an officer, employee, member or agent of the government agency is taken to be conduct on the part of the government agency”.
12. (1) The Ombudsman may, after due enquiry and on reasonable evidence, conclude that conduct was:
(a) oppressive or improperly discriminatory, whether or not it is in accordance with law or practice; or
(b) based wholly or partly on improper motives, irrelevant grounds or irrelevant considerations; or
(c) contrary to natural justice; or
(d) conduct for which reasons should be given but were not.
(a) has failed to carry out or has breached the duties and responsibilities of office imposed on him or her under Article 66(1) or (2) of the Constitution; or
(b) has breached the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
13. (1) The Ombudsman may, as part of any enquiry conducted by him or her, mediate amongst the following persons:
(b) if the enquiry relates to the conduct of a government agency – the person in charge of that government agency;
(c) if the enquiry relates to the conduct of a leader – that leader;
(d) any other person directly affected by the enquiry.
(2) A person referred to in subsection (1) may request the Ombudsman to mediate in accordance with that subsection.
(3) The Ombudsman must, so far as is practicable for him or her to do so, comply with a request to mediate.
(4) If, after receiving a request to mediate, the Ombudsman is of the opinion that it is not possible to mediate, the Ombudsman must give the person who made the request a written statement setting out the reasons for his or her opinion.
14. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Ombudsman may, by instrument in writing, delegate any or all of his or her powers or functions to any officer of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman must sign the instrument of delegation.
(a) the power to delegate a power or function; or
(b) any power or function prescribed by the regulations under section 56 to be non-delegable.
OMBUDSMAN OR ONE OF HIS OR HER OFFICERS TO ACT
15. An enquiry may be conducted by the Ombudsman or an officer of the Ombudsman.
OMBUDSMAN MAY APPOINT PROMINENT PERSON TO CARRY OUT ENQUIRY
16. (1) If the Ombudsman is unable for any reason to enquire into a matter, he or she may appoint:
(a) one or more Constitutional office holders; or
(b) with the approval of the President, independent persons of high integrity and standing in the community;
(a) has, for the purposes of carrying out the enquiry, all the powers of the Ombudsman necessary to enable the person to carry out the enquiry; and
(b) is subject to all restrictions, limitations and duties of secrecy affecting the Ombudsman.
17. (1) A person may make a complaint under the Constitution or this Act to the Ombudsman either orally or in writing.
DISCRETION TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS
18. (1) If a complaint has been made to the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman may decline to enquire into the complaint if the Ombudsman is satisfied that:
(a) the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or manifestly without foundation; or
(b) if the complaint relates to the conduct of a leader - the complainant has available to him or her another remedy or channel of complaint that he or she could reasonably be expected to use; or
(c) the complainant’s interest is insufficiently related to the subject matter of the complaint; or
(d) the complaint has been too long delayed to justify present examination of its merit; or
(e) an enquiry into the conduct complained of is not warranted having regard to all the circumstances.
(a) has made a complaint to the Ombudsman about the conduct of a government agency; and
(b) has not complained to the government agency about the conduct;
(b) has complained to the government agency about the conduct;
(a) before the Ombudsman commences, or after the Ombudsman has commenced, an enquiry into the conduct of a government agency; and
(b) the conduct is the subject matter of a complaint to the Ombudsman; and
(c) the Ombudsman becomes of the opinion that adequate provision is made under an administrative practice for the review of conduct of the kind taken by the government agency;
19. The Ombudsman must not conduct an enquiry into the following:
(a) a matter that has previously been the subject of an enquiry by the Ombudsman;
(b) the reasons a recommendation of the Ombudsman has not been followed;
(c) the action taken by a leader or person in charge of a government agency to give effect to a recommendation of the Ombudsman.
20. (1) Subject to this Act and subsections (2) and (3), the Ombudsman may determine:
(a) the methods by which complaints are acted upon, and
(b) the scope and manner of enquiries to be made; and
(c) the form, frequency and distribution of his or her conclusions and recommendations.
(2) The methods determined under paragraph (1)(a) must not result in complaints not being dealt with through any lack of procedural formality.
PROCEDURES OF THE OMBUDSMAN
21. (1) Subject to subsection (2), before commencing an enquiry into the conduct of a government agency, or a leader, the Ombudsman must give written notice to the person in charge of the government agency, or the leader, as the case requires, of his or her intention to make an enquiry.
22. (1) The Ombudsman must, if possible, obtain evidence and information by informal request, seeking the cooperation of those concerned.
(a) to appear before the Ombudsman for examination by him or her; or
(b) to furnish any information or documentary evidence to the Ombudsman needed for an enquiry.
(3) If a person is required to appear before the Ombudsman for examination in accordance with subsection (2), he or she may request that:
(a) a tape recording be made of the examination; and
(b) the person’s legal representative or another person be present during the examination.
(7) No statement made by, or answer given to, a person in the course of any enquiry by, or any proceedings before, the Ombudsman is admissible in evidence against that person or any other person in any court, enquiry or other proceedings, except on the trial of that person for perjury, or in proceedings under Part 6 of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
(8) No evidence in respect of proceedings before the Ombudsman is to be given against any person, including the person under enquiry, except in relation to proceedings under Part 7 of this Act or Part 6 of the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
(9) If a person is required by the Ombudsman to appear before him or her for the purpose of this section, the person is entitled, on request, to reimbursement of reasonable travel costs (calculated on the basis of what public transport would cost for the trip) and such other expenses as are prescribed by the regulations.
(10) A person required to supply documents to the Ombudsman is entitled, on request, to be reimbursed for reasonable photocopying charges incurred by the person.
23. (1) If a person who has been served with a notice under section 22:
(a) fails or refuses to appear before the Ombudsman; or
(b) fails or refuses to furnish any information or documentary evidence to the Ombudsman;
(2) The Court may, at any time after issuing a summons to a person who has failed to comply with a notice under section 22, order the person to pay a fine not exceeding 100,000 Vt.
24. (1) If the Court is satisfied by information on oath that:
(a) a person served with a notice to provide documentary evidence under section 22 has:
(i) failed or refused to provide the documents; or
(ii) failed or refused to provide all relevant documents in his or her possession or control; and
(a) to enter and inspect any premises for which a warrant has been issued; and
(b) to call for and examine any document needed for his or her enquiries which is kept on the premises; and
(c) if necessary, to seize, retain and remove any such document, or take extracts from, or make copies of, any such document.
(a) the person obstructs the Ombudsman or his or her officer in the exercise of his or her powers under this section; or
APPLICATION OF OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT
25. Subject to section 26, the Ombudsman and his or her officers are subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act [CAP 111].
OMBUDSMAN AND HIS OR HER OFFICERS TO MAINTAIN SECRECY
26. (1) Before entering on the exercise of his or her duties as Ombudsman, the Ombudsman must sign a declaration in the form in the schedule to the Official Secrets Act [CAP 111].
(a) to properly investigate the matter before him or her; or
(b) to establish grounds for his or her conclusions and recommendations.
This subsection does not limit the power of the Ombudsman to keep a report, or part of a report, confidential under Article 63 (3) of the Constitution or section 34 of this Act.
(4) The power conferred by subsection (3) does not apply to:
(a) any matter that might prejudice the security, defence or international relations of Vanuatu, including Vanuatu’s relations with the government of any other country or any international organisation; or
(b) any matter that might prejudice the investigation or detection of offences; or
(c) any matter that might involve the disclosure of proceedings, deliberations or decisions of the Council of Ministers, which relate to matters of a secret or confidential nature, the disclosure of which would be injurious to Vanuatu’s national security; or
(d) any matter that involves the disclosure of commercial in confidence information that could reasonably be expected to prejudice substantially the commercial interests of the government agency concerned.
DISCLOSURE OF RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED INFORMATION
27. (1) This section applies if the Ombudsman is dealing with an enquiry that involves the disclosure of any information (in this section called “prohibited or restricted information”) that is prohibited or restricted under or by:
(a) any law of Vanuatu (other than the Official Secrets Act [CAP 111]); or
(3) A person holding prohibited or restricted information must obtain any consent required by any law or duty referred to in subsection (1) before disclosing any such information of a personal nature. However, it is not necessary to obtain such consent if the information (either alone or taken with other information) indicates a breach of Chapter 10 (Leadership Code) of the Constitution or the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
(a) the consents required by any law or duty referred to in subsection (1) have been obtained; or
(b) the disclosure of such information relates to a leader or his or her associates and indicates a breach of Chapter 10 (Leadership Code) of the Constitution or the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
28. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), it is an offence for a person to publish or disclose to another person any evidence, documents or other information given to, or received from, the Ombudsman.
(b) the disclosure is made by playing the tape recording of an examination of a person conducted by the Ombudsman to the person’s legal representative for the purpose of obtaining legal advice; or
(c) the disclosure is made to a person’s legal representative or another person who was present during an examination conducted by the Ombudsman; or
(d) the disclosure is otherwise required by law or by order of the Court.
ENQUIRIES INTO CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
29. (1) This section applies to an enquiry into the conduct of a government agency.
(3) The Ombudsman must be satisfied that:
(a) the conduct the subject of the enquiry is contrary to the requirements of Article 63 (2) of the Constitution; or
(b) the law or administrative practice the subject of the enquiry, or any other law or administrative practice, is defective; or
(c) the practice the subject of the enquiry is discriminatory;
(a) is not well founded; or
(b) does not give rise to any of the matters referred to in subsection (3);
ENQUIRIES INTO CONDUCT OF LEADERS
30. (1) This section applies to an enquiry into the conduct of a leader.
(2) If, after completing the enquiry, the Ombudsman is satisfied that the leader:
(a) has failed to carry out any of the duties or responsibilities of office imposed on him or her under Article 66 (1) or (2) of the Constitution; or
(b) has breached any of those duties or responsibilities; or
(c) has breached the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998;
(3) The Ombudsman must forward a copy of his or her findings with appropriate recommendations to the President, the Prime Minister and the leader concerned if that leader is a government member.
(4) The Ombudsman must forward a copy of his or her findings with appropriate recommendations to the President, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the leader concerned if that leader is an opposition member.
(5) In the case of any other leader, the Ombudsman must forward a copy of his or her findings with appropriate recommendations to the President, the Prime Minister, the leader concerned and the person or body by whom the leader was appointed, or reports to.
(6) If the Ombudsman concludes that a complaint or enquiry:
(b) does not give rise to any of the matters referred to in subsection (2);
POWER TO REFER TO PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ETC
31. (1) Subject to subsection (2), if the Ombudsman after due enquiry, is of the opinion that the commencement of criminal proceedings or disciplinary action is justified against any person involved in the subject matter of an enquiry, the Ombudsman must refer the matter, including all relevant supporting documents to:
(a) in the case of an offence against the Public Service Act No. 11 of 1998 – to the Public Service Commission and the person in charge of the government agency concerned; or
(b) in the case of any criminal offence – to the Commissioner of Police and the Public Prosecutor.
(2) This section does not apply to an investigation into the conduct of a leader under the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998 (see Part 5 of that Act).
ACTIONS TO GIVE EFFECT TO OMBUDSMAN’S RECOMMENDATIONS
32. (1) For the purposes of Article 63 (4) of the Constitution, if the Ombudsman’s enquiry was into the conduct of a government agency, the person in charge of the government agency, must:
(a) decide upon the findings of the Ombudsman within a reasonable time as specified by the Ombudsman; and
(b) notify the Ombudsman in writing of the action he or she proposes to take to give effect to the Ombudsman’s recommendations.
(2) For the purposes of Article 63 (4) of the Constitution, if the Ombudsman’s enquiry was into the conduct of a leader, the Prime Minister must decide upon the findings of the Ombudsman within a reasonable time as specified by the Ombudsman.
(a) if the leader is an opposition member – with the Leader of the Opposition; or
(b) if the leader is a member of a local government council or municipal council – with the council; or
(c) in the case of any other leader (other than a leader who is a government member) - with the person or body by whom the leader was appointed, or reports to.
(a) if the leader is a member of the Parliament – lay a copy of the notice before the Parliament within 14 sitting days of the Parliament after the notice was given to the Ombudsman; or
(b) if the leader is a member of a local government council or municipal council – give a copy of the notice to the council within 14 days after the notice was given to the Ombudsman; or
(c) in the case of any other leader – give a copy of the notice to the person or body by whom the leader was appointed, or reports to, within 14 days after the notice was given to the Ombudsman.
(5) If a decision is made by the person in charge of a government agency or a leader not to take any action, written notice of this must be given to the Ombudsman as soon as practicable.
(6) Subsection (4) applies accordingly to a notice given by a leader under subsection (5).
PUBLICISING PROCEEDINGS, REPORTS ETC
33. For the purpose of giving effect to any findings or recommendations of the Ombudsman following an enquiry into the conduct of a government agency or a leader, the Ombudsman may:
(a) publicise proceedings, reports and recommendations; and
(b) make reports and recommendations to the Parliament, the Prime Minister and other relevant persons and bodies as provided for by this Act, and
(c) give advice.
DIVISION 4 - REPORTS
34. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Ombudsman must:
(a) make public by way of a written report the results of any enquiries carried out by him or her, including any findings, recommendations and opinions; and
(b) furnish the complainant (if any) with a copy of his or her report.
35. (1) For the purposes of Article 63 (5) of the Constitution, the Ombudsman must give to the Prime Minister for presentation to Parliament at least once each year, a general report on the functions and workings of the Ombudsman’s office, with such recommendations as to improvement as the Ombudsman thinks proper.
(a) in the case of parliamentary legislation - the Parliament and the Attorney General; and
(b) in the case of legislation made by local government councils or municipal councils - the Chairman of the local government council or Mayor of the municipality, as the case may be, and the Attorney General.
36. (1) The Ombudsman may, at any time as he or she considers necessary or desirable, make and transmit to the Prime Minister, for presentation to Parliament, other reports on any matters of pressing importance or urgency that, in the Ombudsman’s opinion, should not be deferred until the presentation of his or her annual general report.
(e) any matters relating to the conduct of leaders for the purposes of giving effect to Chapter 10 (Leadership Code) of the Constitution or the Leadership Code Act No. 2 of 1998.
POWER TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER ENQUIRIES ETC
37. The Ombudsman may participate in, or co-operate with, any general study or enquiry (whether or not it is related to any particular department or public authority or any particular administrative act) if the Ombudsman believes it may enhance knowledge about or lead to improvement:
(a) in the functioning of any body or authority referred to in Article 62 (2) of the Constitution or any other government agency; or
PRIME MINISTER TO BE SPOKESMAN FOR THE OMBUDSMAN
38. (1) The Prime Minister, as the Head of the Government, is the spokesman for the Ombudsman and has the following responsibilities:
PRIME MINISTER TO REPORT TO PARLIAMENT
39. (1) The Prime Minister must prepare a report each year on the actions (if any) that a leader, or the person in charge of a government agency, has taken during that year to give effect to any findings or recommendations made by the Ombudsman following an enquiry into the conduct of that leader or government agency, as the case may be.
40. Subject to finance being available, the Ombudsman must decentralize his or her activities by establishing branch offices in other regions of Vanuatu.
41. (1) Neither the Ombudsman nor an officer or employee of the Ombudsman is liable for any act or omission done or ordered to be done or made in good faith and without negligence under or for the purposes of the Constitution or this Act.
OFFICERS AND OTHER STAFF OF THE OMBUDSMAN
42. The Government must ensure that there is a sufficient budget allocated to the office of the Ombudsman to enable the Ombudsman to properly perform his or her functions and duties.
43. The officers required to assist the Ombudsman in the performance of his or her functions under the Constitution and this or any other Act are to be appointed by the Public Service Commission after consultation with the Ombudsman.
44. Subject to the budget allocated to the office of the Ombudsman, the officers of the Ombudsman appointed by the Public Service Commission hold office on such terms and conditions as the Public Service Commission determines.
45. The Public Service Act No. 11 of 1998 applies in relation to officers of the Ombudsman appointed by the Public Service Commission.
46. All persons employed in the office of the Ombudsman are subject to the Ombudsman’s control and direction.
47. The Public Service Commission may, after consultation with the Ombudsman, appoint such casual or contract employees as the Public Service Commission considers necessary for the purposes of this Act if finance is available for such appointments.
IMPROPER INFLUENCE ETC
48. A person is guilty of an offence if the person improperly influences, hinders or obstructs the Ombudsman, or an officer acting under a delegation made under section 14, in the exercise of his or her powers or the performance of his or her functions or duties.
Penalty - Vt 100,000 or 6 months imprisonment or both.
FAILURE TO APPEAR ETC
49. A person who has been given a notice under section 22 to attend as a witness or to produce documents before the Ombudsman is guilty of an offence if the person without sufficient excuse:
(a) refuses or neglects to do so, or
(b) refuses to be sworn or refuses to answer any questions relevant to the matters being enquired into or put to him or her by the Ombudsman or an officer acting under a delegation made under section 14.
50. A person is guilty of an offence if the person gives false or misleading evidence in any enquiry being conducted by the Ombudsman or an officer acting under a delegation made under section 14.
51. A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
(a) insults the Ombudsman, or an officer acting under a delegation made under section 14, in the exercise of his or her powers or the performance of his or her functions or duties; or
(b) interrupts any proceedings being held as part of an inquiry being undertaken by the Ombudsman or the officer; or
(c) during those proceedings uses insulting language towards the Ombudsman or the officer; or
(d) creates a disturbance, or takes part in creating or continuing a disturbance, in a place where the Ombudsman or the officer is holding those proceedings.
52. No proceedings for an offence against this Act is to commence except by direction in writing of the Ombudsman.
53. (1) Despite the repeal of the Ombudsman Act No 14 of 1995, that Act, as in force immediately before its repeal, continues to apply in relation to any investigation, enquiry or any other activity undertaken under that Act that had not been finalised before its repeal.
(2) Section 11 of the Interpretation Act [Cap 132] applies accordingly.
54. (1) A person who is an officer appointed by the Ombudsman when this Act commences is taken to have been appointed by the Public Service Commission in accordance with section 43.
(a) a person who is a casual employee of the Ombudsman;
(b) a person who is employed by the Ombudsman under a fixed term contract.
OFFICE SUBJECT TO AUDIT OF AUDITOR GENERAL
55. The Auditor General is empowered to inspect and audit the accounts of the Office of the Ombudsman and the records of all of its financial transactions and to have full and free access to its accounts, financial records, documents and papers.
56. (1) The Prime Minister acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers may by Order make regulations not inconsistent with this Act for the better carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Act.
57. This Act commences on the day on which it is published in the Gazette.
An enquiry by the Ombudsman of Vanuatu under the Constitution and Ombudsman Act No. of 1998.
Pursuant to Article 62 (3) of the Constitution and section 22 of the Ombudsman Act No. 1998, You, being a person who in the opinion of the Ombudsman is able to give information relating to a matter that is being enquired into by the Ombudsman ARE REQUIRED to attend in person at the office of the Ombudsman at ................................................. on the ........... day of ................. at ...... o’clock in the .................., AND UNTIL YOU ARE EXCUSED from further attending, to give evidence in a matter being enquired into by the Ombudsman namely:
Given under the hand of the Ombudsman this ......... day of ...............
URL: http://www.paclii.org/vu/legis/num_act/oa1998114