http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-13/nt-ombudsman-attack-fair-work-office/40685...

The Northern Territory Ombudsman says the Federal Government's Fair Work Ombudsman is not effective.

Carolyn Richards told the Parliament Estimates Committee that the Commonwealth's fair work regulator is a not working for people in the Territory.

She says her office has experienced a 30 per cent increase in approaches because people find it difficult to contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.

"In Darwin, they are virtually inaccessible, and I have had talks with them about this," she said.

"They have a tiny office somewhere in Mitchell Street and it is often unattended.

"They only have an 1800 number, which is centrally answered, and people go over there but there is nobody there, the door's locked.

"They come back to us and we ring the South Australian head office, and ... we waste a lot of time on that."