The services that governments deliver affect most of the Western Australian community in their daily lives.
Key accountability agencies responsible for ensuring that these services are delivered fairly, accountably and responsively in Western Australia have joined together to undertake a series of regional visits throughout the state in 2009.

The Western Australian Ombudsman, Energy Ombudsman, Public Sector Standards Commission, Office of Health Review, Freedom of Information Commission, and Commonwealth Ombudsman are involved in the Regional Awareness and Accessibility Program.

The program aims to:

• improve access to and understanding of these agencies


• promote good administrative practice, effective complaint/dispute resolution, ethical conduct and appropriate access to information in the public sector

The program was launched by the Ombudsman in February with the first visit to the Goldfields in May, followed by a visit to the Mid West in June and July. The visits have involved joint seminars for government agencies, local government, and community and indigenous groups. Accountability agencies also met with key regional stakeholders on a one-on-one basis during the visits.

A key feature of the program is the opportunity to listen directly to the people living in regional WA through a series of complaints clinics. The clinics have been very well attended and have raised important issues that are being pursued by the accountability agencies.

Western Australian Ombudsman Chris Field said strengthening relationships with the regions was a high priority for 2009.

“We want to ensure that the services of our agencies are as accessible as they can possibly be to Western Australians living and working in the regional areas of the State,” Mr Field said.

“The visits we have completed so far have given us a first hand appreciation of the issues and challenges being faced in these areas.”

Discussions held with groups in the Goldfields and Mid West revealed that they appreciated being able to raise their concerns in a face-to-face environment rather than via phone or email.

The two visits held to date have been very successful for all the accountability agencies involved.

“The program shows how small agencies can combine to deliver efficient and effective access to information and services to regional Western Australians.”

The program travels to the Peel region from 10-12 November. All government agencies, local governments and interested members of the community are encouraged to attend.

More information about the program and full details of the events for the upcoming Peel visit are available on the Ombudsman Western Australia website at www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au.

Photo: Sven Bluemmel, Information Commissioner; Gary Savill, Dept of Treasury and Finance; Ombudsman Chris Field; Beverley Hills, Advocare; and Ros Miller, Shire of Carnamah