How Complaints are Investigated

When the AGCNCO investigates a complaint, it provides a written report to the Government setting out its findings and the reasons for them. It subsequently publishes the report and also makes it available on this website. While the AGCNCO may recommend changes to competitive neutrality arrangements, the Government is not obliged to accept that advice.

The AGCNCO does not automatically investigate complaints. Apart from those which do not concern an Australian Government business, it will generally rule out complaints that:

• are frivolous, vexatious, not made in good faith, or are made by someone with an insufficient interest in the matter of the complaint; or
• do not warrant investigation having regard to all the relevant circumstances.

If the Office does not proceed with an investigation, it provides written advice to the complainant outlining the reasons for its decision.

The AGCNCO generally aims to report to the Government within 90 days of accepting a complaint. For its part, the Government aims to respond to recommendations within a further 90 days. For complex complaints, an AGCNCO report may result in a Government decision to hold a subsequent public inquiry into the matters raised.

Further information is available by contacting the AGCNCO.