When we investigate a matter, we may make recommendations that public sector organisations take certain action.
We may also make recommendations based on our own-motion investigations (including those into the policies, practices and procedures of public sector organisations) or research projects that help achieve our educative, preventative and advisory functions.
The following tables list our outstanding and recently implemented recommendations. We have de-identified these where the Board has determined not to table a report of the investigation in Parliament.
Please note that the tables do not include every investigation. For more information please review the investigation summaries page and the current matter status updates page.
Complaint investigations
| Year | Report | Responsible organisation(s) | Recommendations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Investigation Montagu I: Alleged misconduct in recruitment processes | Educational institution | Consider how the report reflects on governance and whether any changes are necessary | Response due 7/5/2025 |
| 2024 | Investigation Montagu I: Alleged misconduct in recruitment processes | Educational institution | Consider adopting recommendations relating to recruitment policies, practices, and procedures | Response due 7/5/2025 |
| 2024 | Investigation Herringback: Alleged misuse of information and associated failures to declare and/or manage a conflict of interest | Minister | Consider how the report reflects on governance and whether any changes are necessary | Response due 5/5/2025 |
| 2024 | Investigation Gatehouse: Improper exercise of statutory powers in relation to Right to Information Act | Department of Health | Disband internal ‘RTI panel’ | Implemented (12/5/2024) |
| 2024 | Investigation Gatehouse: Improper exercise of statutory powers in relation to Right to Information Act | Department of Health | Undertake formal disciplinary process into conduct by an employee | In progress (6/2/2025) |
| 2024 | Investigation Gatehouse: Improper exercise of statutory powers in relation to Right to Information Act | Ombudsman | Consider risks posed by ‘RTI panels’ | Considering response (19/9/2024) |
| 2023 | Investigation Harold: Allegations of misconduct in recruitment process | State Service agency | Ensure recruitment policies and guidelines followed and records appropriately recorded and stored | Implemented (12/9/2024) |
| 2023 | Investigation Smithies: Systemic misconduct in recruiting local government employees | Minister for Local Government | Reinstate legislative requirement for employees to be recruited on merit | Implemented (20/11/2023) |
| 2023 | Investigation Smithies: Systemic misconduct in recruiting local government employees | Minister for Local Government | Develop a model recruitment policy for Tasmanian councils | In progress, expected to be implemented in 2024 (6/12/2023) |
| 2023 | Investigation Dazzler | A state-owned company | Ensure recruitment policies and guidelines followed, and records appropriately recorded and stored | Implemented (3/7/2023) |
Own motion investigations
| Year | Report | Responsible organisation(s) | Recommendations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Investigation Karamu (MM23/0323) | State Service Agency | Implement the recommendations made by the Investigator | Progress report due 18/8/2025, final response due 18/2/2026 |
| 2024 | Investigation Montagu II: Potential misconduct in the separation of an employee | Educational institution | Consider how the report reflects on governance and whether any changes are necessary | Response due 7/5/2025 |
| 2024 | Investigation Montagu II: Potential misconduct in the separation of an employee | Educational institution | Consider adopting recommendations relating to policies, practices, and procedures | Response due 7/5/2025 |
| 2018 | Investigation Cathedral: The management of information In Tasmania Police (PDF, 1.1 MB) | Premier | Misuse of information offences be reviewed | Under consideration (1/8/2024) |
| 2017 | Investigation Victor: The management of misconduct in the Tasmanian public sector (PDF, 1.2 MB) | Premier | Legislated ability to make disciplinary findings in state service after employment ceases | Not accepted (11/7/2022) |
| 2017 | Investigation Victor: The management of misconduct in the Tasmanian public sector (PDF, 1.2 MB) | State Archivist | Require public authorities to keep misconduct records for 7 years | In progress, intended implementation in January 2024 (27/11/2023) |
| 2017 | Investigation Victor: The management of misconduct in the Tasmanian public sector (PDF, 1.2 MB) | State Archivist | Require public authorities to keep register of misconduct matters for 2 years | Requires legislative change, review to commence over 2024/25 (27/11/2023) |
Other reports
| Year | Reference | Report | Responsible organisation(s) | Recommendations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Misconduct risks in Tasmania’s right to information regime | Government | Adequate resourcing to Ombudsman for RTI training and guidance | No response received | |
| 2024 | Misconduct risks in Tasmania’s right to information regime | Attorney-General | Update RTI Act to require reporting on delegates | No response received | |
| 2024 | Misconduct risks in Tasmania’s right to information regime | Premier | RTI indicators included in performance agreements | No response received | |
| 2024 | Misconduct risks in Tasmania’s right to information regime | Ombudsman | Issue guideline on undue influence and communication | Considering response (19/9/2024) | |
| 2024 | Misconduct risks in Tasmania’s right to information regime | Attorney-General | Amend RTI Act to preclude review of a decision by the decision drafter | Response due by 20 November 2024 (20/5/2024) | |
| 2023 | No 3 of 2023 | Project Vulcan – gifts and benefits: An audit of State Service agencies’ public registers (PDF, 707.4 KB) | Head of State Service | Review State Service Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy for clarity and to resolve conflicts | Accepted, yet to be implemented (30/10/2023) |
| 2023 | No 3 of 2023 | Project Vulcan – gifts and benefits: An audit of State Service agencies’ public registers (PDF, 707.4 KB) | Head of State Service | State Service Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy altered to require explanation of benefits of networking when accepting hospitality | Accepted, yet to be implemented (30/10/2023) |
| 2023 | No 3 of 2023 | Project Vulcan – gifts and benefits: An audit of State Service agencies’ public registers (PDF, 707.4 KB) | Head of State Service | Consider how to deal with altruistic donations in the State Service Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy | Accepted, yet to be implemented (30/10/2023) |
| 2023 | No 3 of 2023 | Project Vulcan – gifts and benefits: An audit of State Service agencies’ public registers (PDF, 707.4 KB) | Head of State Service | Creation and mandated adoption of internal gift register template, and detailing of minimum public register requirements, by State Service agencies | Accepted, yet to be implemented (30/10/2023) |
| 2023 | No 2 of 2023 | Project Paris - Tasmania's Parliamentary Register of Interests: An audit and review of issues | Government | Legislative change to require members of Parliament to declare conflicts | No response received |
| 2023 | No 2 of 2023 | Project Paris - Tasmania's Parliamentary Register of Interests: An audit and review of issues | Government | Simplify and broaden MP disclosure requirements | No response received |
| 2023 | No 2 of 2023 | Project Paris - Tasmania's Parliamentary Register of Interests: An audit and review of issues | Government | Legislative change to require quicker notification of changes to MP declarations | No response received |
| 2022 | Research paper | Investigation Fisher – Managing conflicts of interest between local government councillors and property developers (PDF, 1.3 MB) | Government | Legislative amendment to allow a more flexible approach to conflicts of interest | In progress, consultations planned (19/10/2023) |
| 2022 | Research paper | Investigation Fisher – Managing conflicts of interest between local government councillors and property developers (PDF, 1.3 MB) | Government | Campaign funding disclosure requirements be extended to all local government candidates, not just sitting candidates | No response received |
| 2022 | Research paper | Investigation Fisher – Managing conflicts of interest between local government councillors and property developers (PDF, 1.3 MB) | Government | Legislate mandated system of routine local government disclosures of interests for councillors | In progress, consultations planned (19/10/2023) |
| 2022 | Research paper | Project Acropolis – Paper 2: Grant commitments in election campaigns (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Government | Consider increasing legislated requirements for ministerial expenditure of public money | No response received |
| 2022 | Research paper | Project Acropolis – Paper 2: Grant commitments in election campaigns (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Government | Consider introducing mandatory grants rules | No response received |
| 2022 | Research paper | Project Acropolis – Paper 2: Grant commitments in election campaigns (PDF, 1.7 MB) | Government | Consider adopting more rigorous guidelines for Premier’s Discretionary Fund | No response received |