Ombudsman Act 1972

On receipt by the Ombudsman of a complaint or report, the matter must be assessed as to whether—

it raises an issue that should be investigated under this Act;

it raises some other issue that should be referred to a law enforcement agency, another inquiry agency, a public authority or a public officer; or

it is trivial, vexatious or frivolous, it has previously been dealt with by an inquiry agency or a public authority and there is no reason to reexamine it or there is other good reason why no action should be taken in respect of it, and a determination made as to whether or not action should be taken to investigate or refer the matter.

The Ombudsman may, for the purpose of assessing a matter, by written notice, require a public authority or public officer—

to produce a specified document or a document relating to a specified matter; or

to produce a written statement of information about a specified matter or to answer specified questions, within a specified period and in a specified form, verified if the written notice so requires by statutory declaration.

A person must not refuse or fail to comply with a requirement of a notice under subsection (2). Maximum penalty: Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.