Who wants to be the next Ombudsman? Hints for potential applicants

L-R: Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Dr Vivienne Thom AM FIPAA, Michael Manthorpe PSM FIPAA, Alison Larkins FIPAA, Caroline Walsh and Dr Steven Kennedy PSM

On 3 December 2021, IPAA ACT hosted an event with Michael Manthorpe PSM FIPAA as he delivered his valedictory address, Who wants to be the next Ombudsman? Hints for potential applicants.

After more than three decades serving as a public servant from a “green and eager base grade clerk” to the SES, Michael was appointed Commonwealth Ombudsman on 8 May 2017. He was the 10th Commonwealth Ombudsman since the Office’s inception in 1977. By virtue of an arrangement between the Commonwealth and ACT Governments, he was also the ACT Ombudsman. Michael retired in July 2021.

Michael was the recipient of a Public Service Medal in 2010 for his work to ameliorate problems resulting from the collapse of Australia’s then-largest childcare provider, ABC Learning.

After delivering his valedictory address, Michael was joined in conversation by Alison Larkins FIPAA, Commonwealth Coordinator-General of Migrant Services at the Department of Home Affairs. The event was hosted by Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary of The Treasury and IPAA ACT President.

Transcript - a copy of the transcript is available here.
Video - the video can be viewed below or on IPAA ACT's Vimeo channel.