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What is maladministration?

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The Ombudsman can accept complaints and reports about maladministration in public administration.

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Maladministration is defined in the Ombudsman Act. It includes:

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A public officer or authority who acts in a way that results in irregular and unauthorised use of public money or substantial mismanagement of public resources.

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That might look like entering into contracts without a proper process, making purchases with public money but with little to no public value, misusing an agency credit card, government vehicle or council assets.

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A public officer who seriously mismanages their official functions might also be committing maladministration.

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Maladministration might be a single act or pattern of behaviour.

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If you're a public officer or public authority, you are expected to tell us if you reasonably suspect maladministration has occurred. The Public Interest Disclosure Act includes protections for reports of maladministration made by public officers.

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If you are not a public officer, you can still lodge a complaint about suspected maladministration with us, which will be treated confidentially.

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You can report maladministration through our website, by writing to us, by telephone, or in person.

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Contact Ombudsman SA on 7322 7020 or visit www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au.