There are two parts to my answer. Firstly, the act states that I am an ombudsman and, therefore, I have neither the power to issue orders, nor the power to impose sanctions. Under no circumstances can I impose fines or cut resources. A degree of mediation is therefore required and, I fully recognize, this is a more time-consuming means of addressing requests. However, as I said earlier in answer to a question raised by another member, our success rate is very high, with 99 per cent of complaints resolved.
As a last resort, a complaint can be referred to the Federal Court. The act provides for the Court to evaluate the case and issue a disclosure order.