Ombudsman authority is limited to what?

• A. Punishing departments directly.
• B. Making recommendations to the relevant department or to NSW parliament.
• C. Unilaterally changing laws.
• D. Issuing fines against individuals.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the Ombudsman acts as an independent investigator who reviews how government agencies handle people’s complaints and then suggests fixes. Its authority is mainly to make recommendations to the relevant department or to NSW Parliament, aiming to improve procedures and accountability. It does not have power to punish departments directly, to unilaterally change laws, or to issue fines against individuals. Those powers lie with the courts, regulators, or Parliament. In practice, the Ombudsman reports findings and proposes remedies, which the department or Parliament can choose to implement. This is why the ability to make recommendations to the department or to NSW Parliament best describes its role.