The Australian and Northern Territory (NT) governments are undertaking large scale reforms to public housing in remote Indigenous communities in the NT. In addition to substantial investment in housing and related infrastructure, these changes include reforms to land tenure designed to underpin investment in housing and associated infrastructure and to provide a right of access...

In April 2011, there were several major disturbances at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre (IDC). On 20 and 21 April, a total of nine buildings were set on fire and destroyed. The loss of amenities included the classroom, gym, medical centre and kitchen. Other protest activity included detainees demonstrating on the roof and threatening acts of...

Law enforcement agencies are given considerable covert information gathering powers under legislation. It is the role of the Commonwealth Ombudsman to ensure that such powers are used lawfully. Surveillance devices used by law enforcement agencies include optical, listening, tracking and data recording devices. While there is, in most circumstances, no law against using such devices...

Covers the Ombudsman’s work and activities in monitoring controlled (covert) operations during the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010. The report includes: • an overview of the methodology used to assess law enforcement agencies’ compliance with Part 1AB of the Act • an assessment of the levels of compliance demonstrated by the AFP...

This report identifies ‘systemic weaknesses’ in Centrelink’s review processes, including lack of transparency and insufficient education about available options to customers, often leading to delays and inaction. The report also finds that the complexity of Centrelink’s review model contributes to administrative drift and breakdown. In response to a draft of this report, Centrelink has advised...