The British High Commissioner to Malta, HE Katherine Ward LVO OBE, paid a visit to the Office of the Ombudsman. Her visit aimed to engage in constructive discussions with the Ombudsman and gain insights into the Ombudsman’s work and efforts to enhance good public administration and foster a closer relationship with the people.
The Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, spoke about the challenges faced by the institution and explained the approaches being taken to address and possible resolve them. The Ombudsman emphasised the importance of bringing the institution closer to the people and reaching out, especially to the most vulnerable.
The Office of the Ombudsman in Malta plays a vital role in safeguarding good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration. Drawing inspiration from the British model and the New Zealand Ombudsmen Law, the Ombudsman Act in Malta shares common foundations with other Commonwealth countries, opening avenues for greater cooperation in addressing administrative challenges.
The exchange of experiences and best practices with other nations with similar legal frameworks and parliamentary systems holds the potential for mutual benefit and growth. The Ombudsman expressed his wish to seek collaboration with other Ombudsman offices in Commonwealth countries. He also voiced his opinion that Ombudsman offices in the Commonwealth countries should organise themselves, possibly following other successful models like the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen and the European Network of Ombudsmen.
During her visit, the British High Commissioner also met with the specialised commissioners within the Office of the Ombudsman and all the staff members.
Expressing gratitude for their invaluable work in improving public administration, the British High Commissioner commended the Ombudsman and his team for their unwavering commitment to serving the public and upholding the principles of good governance.
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