27Follow‑up action on final inquiry reports

27  Follow‑up action on final inquiry reports

 (1) This section applies if, in the Commissioner’s opinion, a Commonwealth entity, an official of a Commonwealth entity or any other person to whom a final inquiry report is given does not do the following with respect to a recommendation included in the report:

 (a) take action that is adequate and appropriate in the circumstances;

 (b) take that action within a reasonable time.

 (2) The Commissioner may request the entity, official or person to give the Commissioner, within a specified time, details of any action that the entity, official or person has taken, or proposes to take, in response to the recommendation.

 (3) A Commonwealth entity, official or other person must comply with a request under subsection (2).

Commissioner may refer unsatisfactory response of Commonwealth entity

 (4) If the Commissioner is not satisfied with the response of a Commonwealth entity to a request under subsection (2), the Commissioner may refer the following materials to the Prime Minister and the Minister:

 (a) the Commissioner’s recommendation and the reasons for the recommendation;

 (b) the Commissioner’s reasons for not being satisfied that adequate and appropriate action has been taken in response to the recommendation;

 (c) the response of the entity to the Commissioner’s request under subsection (2);

 (d) the Commissioner’s reasons for not being satisfied with that response;

 (e) a copy of the final inquiry report.

 (5) The Commissioner may also give the materials mentioned in subsection (4) to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, for presentation to the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.

Commissioner may make public statements

 (6) If the Commissioner is not satisfied with the response of a person (other than a Commonwealth entity or an official) to a request under subsection (2), the Commissioner may make a public statement under section 50 about the following matters:

 (a) the Commissioner’s recommendation and the reasons for the recommendation;

 (b) the Commissioner’s reasons for not being satisfied that adequate and appropriate action has been taken in response to the recommendation;

 (c) the response of the person to the Commissioner’s request under subsection (2);

 (d) the Commissioner’s reasons for not being satisfied with that response.