Actually, the way this clause is interpreted is that when you're going to make a final recommendation, you're giving the minister an opportunity to respond before you finalize the report, so I don't think it's a bad one. The language used is “must consult”. The language could be more precise if it said “must give notice or an opportunity to respond”, but that's really how it's interpreted.
To come back to the other question, whether there is political interference in my experience, yes, there is potential for it. That's why, in my view, the ombudsman should not report to a minister but to a committee, to further insulate and protect not only the ombudsman but the minister.
A minister never wants to be in a position of being accused of meddling in the jurisdiction of an independent organization, so it's for the protection of both parties.