Complaints Commission faced issues addressing complaints last year
In the recently published 2022 Standing Finance Committee (SFC) Report, Complaints Commissioner Erica Smith-Penn noted her team faced several challenges addressing complaints about the public service last year.
She told the SFC that the three main challenges faced by her team are understanding and support, physical resources, and issues of rights.
Despite these challenges, Smith-Penn said the Complaints Commission managed to complete some of the complaints it received last year as they were simple. However, the Commission has experienced some delays.
“Approximately 22 complaints were received for the year. In terms of resolutions, given the current climate, we were experiencing some delays. However, there were some matters that were very simple that could be resolved in short order, but it required a decision to be made,” she told the SFC.
Smith-Penn also added that a post needs to be created for an Assistant Commissioner as there were some weighty investigative matters that would require additional staffing.
She told the SFC that with the additional post, her department would be able to hire a qualified officer who was trained and had the necessary skills which are important when doing investigative reporting. Smith-Penn also highlighted that security was another problem faced.
During the SFC sitting, the Acting Premier, Dr Natalio Wheatley told the Complaints Commissioner that the Minister of Finance and the Finance Ministry would consider any requests made and do all it could in granting the request given the resources the government has.
Smith-Penn then inquired if her department had received approval of the request for a copier and a vehicle from the Finance Ministry. However, the SFC Chairman stated that the request would be referred to the Acting Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Finance for their consideration.
Despite these challenges, Smith-Penn said the Complaints Commission managed to complete some of the complaints it received last year as they were simple. However, the Commission has experienced some delays.
“Approximately 22 complaints were received for the year. In terms of resolutions, given the current climate, we were experiencing some delays. However, there were some matters that were very simple that could be resolved in short order, but it required a decision to be made,” she told the SFC.
Smith-Penn also added that a post needs to be created for an Assistant Commissioner as there were some weighty investigative matters that would require additional staffing.
She told the SFC that with the additional post, her department would be able to hire a qualified officer who was trained and had the necessary skills which are important when doing investigative reporting. Smith-Penn also highlighted that security was another problem faced.
During the SFC sitting, the Acting Premier, Dr Natalio Wheatley told the Complaints Commissioner that the Minister of Finance and the Finance Ministry would consider any requests made and do all it could in granting the request given the resources the government has.
Smith-Penn then inquired if her department had received approval of the request for a copier and a vehicle from the Finance Ministry. However, the SFC Chairman stated that the request would be referred to the Acting Minister of Finance and the Ministry of Finance for their consideration.
