Aboriginal communities

 

If you think you have been unfairly treated by a NSW government agency or employee, or by certain non-government service providers or their employees, you can complain to us. We receive complaints about:

• NSW Police Force and police officers
• local councils, councilors and council staff
• correctional centres
• juvenile justice centres
• other government departments such as NSW Department of Education and NSW Housing
• other government agencies such as State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO)
• community service providers, both government and non-government, on matters about child and family services, disability accommodation and support, home and community care, refuges and other services
• protected disclosures.

Our Aboriginal Unit works closely with each of our business teams to ensure that we provide good quality services to Aboriginal people.

In addition to our complaints handling role, the Aboriginal Unit regularly meet with local service providers, agencies and community people to talk about ways to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in their area. We also offer Aboriginal cultural appreciation training which examines Aboriginal history and culture and communication strategies and protocols.

As part of the celebration of the ten year anniversary of our Aboriginal complaints unit, we commissioned Nathan Peckham, an Aboriginal artist from Dubbo and a direct descendant from the Tubbah Gah clan of the Wiradjuri Nation to design a poster titled The Offering that depicts the work of the Aboriginal Unit.

The are a number of elements in the poster. The footprints represent Ombudsman staff coming to meet the Aboriginal community. The circle is the 'meeting place' or 'fire', and represents the place for conciliation. The three 'seats' at the centre of the painting represent the Aboriginal community, government agencies and the Ombudsman. The three animals are offerings from each of the parties. These offerings represent what each party can trade. The pathways depict different options. Please click here to view the poster.

For more information on our work with Aboriginal communities, click the links below.

• Our work with Aboriginal communities

• Talk to us! Aboriginal brochure
• Reviewing police work with Aboriginal communities information sheet
• Special report to Parliament: Working with local Aboriginal communities
• Addressing Aboriginal disadvantage: the need to do things differently
• Aboriginal compliant form

Click on a link below to find out more about other organisations

• Department of Aboriginal Affairs
• NSW Aboriginal Land Council
• Aboriginal Child Family and Community Care Secretariat NSW
• Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council (AJAC)
• Community Services
• Anti Discrimination Board
• NSW Government home page