38Functions of Ombudsman under this Act

### 38 Functions of Ombudsman under this Act > > (1)  The Ombudsman's functions under this Act are – > > > > > > (a) to determine whether disclosures received or referred to the Ombudsman are public interest disclosures; and > > > > > > > (b) to investigate matters disclosed in public interest disclosures; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpa@EN) to prepare and publish guidelines and standards for the procedures to be followed by public bodies in relation to – > > > > > > > > > > (i) disclosures under [Part 2](#HP2@EN) ; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) investigations under [Part 7](#HP7@EN) ; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) the protection of persons from reprisals by public bodies or members, officers or employees of public bodies because of protected disclosures; and > > > > > > > > > > > (iv) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpb@EN) the application of natural justice to all parties involved in an investigation of a public interest disclosure; and > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) to approve procedures developed by public bodies in accordance with the guidelines and standards, and review those procedures at least once in each 3-year period; and > > > > > > > (e) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) to receive notification of all public interest disclosures made internally to public bodies; and > > > > > > > (f) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) to prepare and publish guidelines and standards for the purpose of determining whether improper conduct is serious or significant; and > > > > > > > (g) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) to monitor the progress of investigations by public bodies under [Part 7](#HP7@EN) ; and > > > > > > > (h) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) to provide advice to public bodies on this Act; and > > > > > > > (i) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpc@EN) any other function conferred on the Ombudsman by or under this Act. > > > (2)  [*\[Section 38 Subsection (2) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpe@EN) [*\[Section 38 Subsection (2) amended by No. 68 of 2009, s. 21, Applied:01 Oct 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-10-01/act-2009-068#GS21@Hpd@EN) The Ombudsman may from time to time amend the guidelines and standards prepared and published under [subsection (1)](#GS38@Gs1@EN) .