276Procedure relating to investigations

276 Procedure relating to investigations

(1) In section 17(1) of the Ombudsman Act 1973—

(a) in paragraph (d), for "the Council." **substitute** "the Council; and";

(b) after paragraph (d) insert—

"(e) if the investigation relates to Gellung Warl, the First Peoples' Assembly Chairperson.".

(2) After section 17(1) of the Ombudsman Act 1973 insert—

"(1A) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply in relation to an investigation relating to Gellung Warl.".

(3) After section 17(4A) of the Ombudsman Act 1973 insert—

"(4B) If at any time during the course of an investigation on a relevant public interest complaint about a member of the First Peoples' Assembly it appears to the Ombudsman that there may be grounds for making a report adverse to the member, the Ombudsman must, before making the report, give the First Peoples' Assembly Chairperson the opportunity to comment on the subject-matter of the investigation.".

(4) For section 17(6)(b) of the Ombudsman Act 1973 substitute—

"(b) unless the authority is Gellung Warl, send a copy of the report to the responsible Minister and, if the authority or public interest disclosure entity is a member of staff of a Council or a Councillor, to the Mayor of the Council; and

(c) if the authority is Gellung Warl, send a copy of the report to the First Peoples' Assembly Chairperson.".

(5) In section 17(6A) of the Ombudsman Act 1973, after "(4A)," insert "(4B),".