Watchdog bites back

EMILY O’REILLY is a woman out of control. Out of the Government’s control that is – which is why they seem determined to undermine her.

The latest in a series of dramatic flash-points between the Ombudsman and ministers erupted over Ms O’Reilly’s scathing report into how the Health Department had routinely failed vulnerable old people who needed home help.

While the very nature of the Ombudsman’s office is going to create tensions with the Government of the day, this Government clearly looks forward to the day it would be rid of Ms O’Reilly and the forensic approach she brings to her role as investigator general.