61Report containing adverse comment

61 Report containing adverse comment (1) This section applies if the Ombudsman proposes to make an adverse comment about a person in a report under this Part. (2) The Ombudsman must not make the proposed comment unless, before the report is finalised, the Ombudsman gives the person and, if the proposed comment is about a public authority, the principal officer of the authority, a reasonable opportunity to make a submission about the proposed comment. (3) If the person or principal officer of the authority makes a submission and the Ombudsman still proposes to make the comment, the Ombudsman must ensure the submission is taken into account and fairly represented in finalising the report.