The Office of the Ombudsman cannot divulge information deriving from investigations

The Office of the Ombudsman cannot divulge information deriving from investigations

Published March 05, 2025

Often the Office is requested by the media for information resulting from investigations conducted by the Ombudsman and the Commissioners. 

By virtue of Art 21(1) of the Ombudsman Act 1995, information  from investigations of the Ombudsman and the Commissioners is not only confidential but also secret.

The source of this provision is Art 21 of the Ombudsmen Act 1975 of New Zealand.

The Office is therefore precluded from giving any such information from investigations even if requested by the media.

The obligation of secrecy on the Office is not only crucial but in the very interest of complainants and respondents (the public service and/or public administration) alike.  It ensures that during investigations information is provided to the Ombudsman and to the Commissioners without fear of prejudice of any nature.

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L-Uffiċċju tal-Ombudsman ma jistax jagħti tagħrif li jirriżulta waqt investigazzjonijiet

L-Uffiċċju tal-Ombudsman spiss ikollu rikjesti mill-midja sabiex jagħti tagħrif li jkun f`investigazzjonijiet li jkunu saru mill-Ombudsman u mill-Kummissarji.

L-Art 21(1) tal-Att tal-1995 dwar l-Ombudsman 1995 jgħid li t-tagħrif tal-investigazzjonijiet tal-Ombudsman u tal-Kummissarji mhux biss huwa kunfidenzjali iżda sigriet.

Il-mudell ta` din id-dispożizzjoni huwa l-Art 21 tal-Ombudsmen Act 1975 ta` New Zealand.

L-Uffiċċju tal-Ombudsman huwa prekluż milli jagħti kull tip ta’ informazzjoni li toħroġ minn investigazzjonijiet anke jekk it-talba ssir mill-midja.

L-obbligu tas-segretezza mpost fuq l-Uffiċċju huwa kruċjali u huwa fl-interess kemm tal-persuni li jagħmlu l-ilment iżda wkoll tas-servizz pubbliku u/jew l-amministrazzjoni li jkunu jridu jwieġbu għall-ilment.  Is-segretezza tat-tagħrif tiswa sabiex dan ikun jista` jingħata mingħajr biża' ta' preġudizzju ta' kwalunkwe xorta.