42Minister may refer a matter for inquiry

42 Minister may refer a matter for inquiry

(1) The Minister may refer the following matters to the Ombudsman for inquiry: (a) the effect of relevant legislation, policies and practices on small businesses or family enterprises, or a class of small businesses or family enterprises; (b) ways in which relevant legislation, policies and practices might be improved to assist small businesses or family enterprises, or a class of small businesses or family enterprises. (2) In referring a matter to the Ombudsman for inquiry, the Minister may, for the purpose of ensuring that the inquiry is conducted in the manner appropriate to that inquiry, do any or all of the following: (a) require the Ombudsman to hold hearings for the purposes of the inquiry; (b) specify a period within which the Ombudsman must submit the Ombudsman’s report on the inquiry to the Minister; (c) require the Ombudsman to make a draft report available to the public during an inquiry; (d) require the Ombudsman to make recommendations in relation to the matter. (3) The Ombudsman must comply with a requirement imposed by the Minister under subsection (2). (4) The Minister may withdraw or amend the reference at any time before the Minister has received the report on the inquiry from the Ombudsman. (5) If the Minister refers a matter to the Ombudsman for inquiry, the Ombudsman may also make recommendations in the report on any matters relevant to the matter referred.