- Ombudsman is shortened to ombudsman
- Aviation white paper published on Monday
New efforts to protect passenger rights will be led by an “ombudsman” rather than an ombudsperson, the federal government’s Aviation White Paper shows.
The gender-neutral shift appears to be the first of its kind in an official government announcement, a departure from other ‘ombudsman’ arrangements such as the Fair Work Ombudsman.
The term, which is of Scandinavian origin, does not appear in any major Australian or international dictionary.
Australia’s new ‘ombudsman’ will oversee airlines and airports under a new plan to protect passenger rights.
The change has drawn criticism from social media users, who have called it “woke” and “ridiculous.”
‘Labor are calling it an “Ombud” instead of an Ombudsman to be gender neutral. This is getting ridiculous!’ wrote one.
Another added: ‘It should simply be “Om” since bud has masculine overtones.’
“Absolutely ridiculous,” added a third.
The Albanian government’s long-awaited white paper on aviation was released on Monday by Transport Minister Catherine King (left)
‘How left-wing they are, what a woke joke! How weak these people are!’ said another.
The Albanian government’s long-awaited Aviation White Paper, released on Monday by Transport Minister Catherine King, comes two years after the government announced plans to review the aviation sector and set long-term policies and reforms to grow the industry.
Under the scheme, an independent agency will be established by 2026 to settle disputes between airlines and passengers.
The new body will have the power to force airlines and airports to provide redress to customers and will be tasked with publishing reports on their conduct.
A framework for passenger rights will also need to be established, including when passengers are entitled to a refund for cancelled or delayed flights.
Ms King said the government’s focus before the documents were published was on strengthening passenger rights.
“We know airline and airport customers are struggling to enforce their rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which is why a new independent ombudsman program has been established to create a charter of rights,” Ms King told the ABC.
‘People struggle to actually get through to someone. They often spend hours on the phone trying to find out what they are entitled to. The ombudsman scheme provides that independent perspective. It is a complaints mechanism and it sets out clearly what the expectations are for the behaviour of airlines and airports when it comes to customer rights.’
Under the scheme, an independent agency will be established by 2026 to resolve disputes between airlines and passengers (stock image)
She said the ombudsman would be legally appointed and given the power to impose and enforce sanctions.
Although complaints cannot be heard until next year, Ms King said her department would appoint an interim ombudsman to move matters along while Parliament considers the legislation.
“We want this to start as soon as possible,” she said.
“We have heard loud and clear that people’s experience at our airports and with our airlines is not what it should be and is not what they paid for.”
She said the interim ombudsman would immediately begin work on developing a “charter of customer rights” for passengers, with the “scheme being operational next year”.