On 26 August 2020, the Ombudsman of Vanuatu, Mr Hamlison Bulu, met his Australian counter-part Ombudsman Michael Manthorpe, and initiated (virtual) discussions on likely areas of mutual assistance.
Photo credit: Cathy McWilliam, First Secretary (Development Cooperation) Australian High Commission.
The conversation was held via a video conference which was facilitated by the Australian High Commission in Port Vila. It was a first meeting for both Ombudsmen since Mr Bulu’s appointment in July 2019.
Both Ombudsmen acknowledged that the position of an Ombudsman can be a lonely place to be in but seeking support from colleagues around the region can lessen the sense of loneliness on the job.
The agenda of discussion concerning mutual assistance focused on investigation trainings and technical assistance in the area of drafting policies and regulations for the Ombudsman Office. Mention was also made to the APOR 2020 Conference which would be held virtually in early November 2020. Ombudsman Bulu mentioned that he is also currently in an arrangement with the New Zealand Ombudsman in terms of similar assistance and said that the cooperation or support would be complementary.
Ombudsman Bulu acknowledged the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s assistance in the past to the Vanuatu Ombudsman’s Office in the form of investigation trainings and support for overseas conferences. He also welcomed the assistance and support that Ombudsman Manthorpe agreed to assist with. Ombudsman Bulu also acknowledged the support of the Australian High Commission in facilitating the discussions and hopes to continue the conversation in the near future.