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October 17th, 2011 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda The Prime Minister’s Department has defended the funding of the commonwealth watchdog, after the ombudsman gave questions to the Australians Greens to air his concerns about a budget shortfall.
Commonwealth Ombudsman Allan Asher has admitted drafting possible questions for Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young to ask at a Senate estimates hearing held earlier this year.
Mr Asher said last week he felt compelled to do so because he didn’t feel the government was listening to his concerns about budget shortfalls due to an increased workload, but he conceded in hindsight his actions were not wise.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she had some “concerns” about Mr Asher’s conduct and that “procedures and processes” were under way within her department related to the issue, although she did not clarify what those might be.
A Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday was told the new secretary of the prime minister’s department, Ian Watt, would meet with Mr Asher on Tuesday.
Department deputy secretary Renee Leon said Dr Watt and Mr Asher spoke on the telephone last Friday.
Asked whether the ombudsman had previously raised budgetary issues, Ms Leon told the hearing it had occurred “from time to time”.
But she said the ombudsman had received budget increases every year in recent years except the most recent financial year, in which he – along with most other government departments and agencies – was asked to find extra funds within the current allocation.
She listed the budget rises which came in the wake of changes to the ombudsman’s duties in relation to immigration detention, Norfolk Island, the Northern Territory and whistleblower legislation.
“Over the last number of years the ombudsman has had increases in … resourcing for a wide range of additional responsibilities,” Ms Leon said.
Ms Leon declined to say whether the recent events had damaged the ombudsman’s independence but did make some general remarks.
“I think the community is entitled to expect high standards of contact from all its statutory office holders, including the ombudsman, and be confident that there will be demonstration of professionalism and integrity in all of their dealings with their constituents and with parliament,” Ms Leon said.
Labor frontbencher Chris Evans, who acted on behalf of the prime minister at the hearing, echoed Ms Gillard’s concerns.
“It’s a very serious matter and has the potential to undermine confidence in the office,” Senator Evans said.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman investigates complaints about government agencies.
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