New Queensland Ombudsman appointment relevant to oversight of ECEC regulatory decisions

The appointment of Linda Waugh as Queensland’s new Ombudsman places an experienced public sector integrity leader at the head of an independent office responsible for examining the administrative actions and decisions of government agencies, including matters involving the regulation of early childhood education and care.

The Queensland Government has appointed Ms Waugh as the state’s new Ombudsman and Inspector of Detention Services for a three-year term beginning on 23 November 2026.

Ms Waugh has served as Queensland’s Integrity Commissioner for more than three years and brings over three decades of experience in public sector integrity, investigations and independent oversight.

She will succeed outgoing Ombudsman Anthony Reilly, who has held the position for more than six years.

Although the Government’s announcement does not specifically refer to early childhood education and care (ECEC), the Ombudsman’s broader jurisdiction is relevant to approved providers and others engaging with Queensland Government agencies.

The Office can examine complaints about the administrative actions and decisions of Queensland public sector agencies, including concerns involving process, fairness, communication and the reasons supporting a decision.

Queensland’s ECEC Regulatory Authority sits within the Department of Education and is responsible for administering and enforcing the National Quality Framework in the state.

Its responsibilities include assessing applications, monitoring compliance, investigating possible breaches and taking enforcement action where necessary.

When an approved provider is dissatisfied with a regulatory decision, the appropriate response will depend on the nature of that decision. Some decisions have formal internal or external review pathways under the Education and Care Services National Law, including review by the relevant tribunal or court.

The Queensland Ombudsman does not replace those statutory review and appeal mechanisms and generally does not reconsider whether a decision was correct simply because a provider disagrees with the outcome.

Its role may become relevant, however, where a complaint concerns the administrative process followed by a government agency. This could include allegations of:

• unreasonable delay;
• inadequate communication or explanations;
• inconsistent administrative practices;
• failure to consider relevant information;
• concerns about procedural fairness; or
• broader systemic problems affecting agency decision-making.

Providers would ordinarily be expected to raise their concerns directly with the relevant department and use available internal complaint or review processes before approaching the Ombudsman.

The Queensland Ombudsman independently investigates complaints about the administrative actions and decisions of Queensland agencies.

Its jurisdiction includes state government departments, local councils, public universities and TAFE institutions.

The Ombudsman can investigate individual complaints, undertake investigations on its own initiative and make recommendations intended to improve public administration.

The Office can also identify recurring or systemic administrative issues, meaning its work may extend beyond the circumstances of an individual complainant.

For ECEC providers, this independent oversight forms one part of the broader accountability framework governing the administration of regulatory decisions.

Ms Waugh’s career includes senior roles within the NSW and Victorian Ombudsman offices, where she oversaw complex investigations and inquiries.

Before her appointment as Queensland Integrity Commissioner, she served as Commonwealth Merit Protection Commissioner. That position involved independently reviewing and investigating employment decisions and workplace complaints across the Australian Public Service and Parliamentary Service.

She has also worked in anti-corruption agencies, including the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and Queensland’s former Criminal Justice Commission and Crime and Misconduct Commission, now the Crime and Corruption Commission.

As Integrity Commissioner, Ms Waugh has provided ethics and integrity advice to members of parliament, their staff, senior public servants and statutory office holders. Her responsibilities have also included registering lobbyists, administering Queensland’s lobbying regulatory framework and providing education on ethics and integrity.

Attorney-General, Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said Ms Waugh had dedicated her career to strengthening integrity, accountability and public trust in government.

The appointment does not change the powers of Queensland’s ECEC Regulatory Authority or the review mechanisms available under the National Law.

It may nevertheless be relevant to approved providers concerned about the quality and fairness of government administration, particularly where issues relate to:

• delays in departmental processes;
• the clarity of reasons provided for decisions;
• complaint-handling practices;
• consistency in administrative processes; or
• possible systemic issues affecting interactions between providers and the Regulatory Authority.

Providers should continue to identify and follow the correct statutory review, appeal or departmental complaint process for the decision involved, including any applicable time limits.

The Ombudsman may provide an additional independent avenue where the concern relates to how a government agency administered the matter, rather than serving as a general appeal body for the regulatory outcome itself.

While this is not specifically an ECEC appointment, the Queensland Ombudsman forms part of the integrity and accountability environment in which the sector operates.

Ms Waugh’s extensive experience in administrative oversight, investigations and public sector integrity will inform an office responsible for promoting fair and accountable government decision-making.

For approved providers, the appointment is a timely reminder of the distinction between challenging the outcome of a regulatory decision and raising concerns about the administrative process through which that decision was made. 

Read the full media announcement here.