Designing an Australian Automotive Ombudsman system with features that actually prevent industry capture and allow enforceable protection, we should prioritise:

 

• Statutory creation with a clear consumer-protection duty and protected tenure for senior decision makers. 

• Binding decisions for dispute resolution bodies (binding on members) plus access to courts for consumers. 

• Wide remedial powers for the regulator: injunctions, monetary penalties, orders for restitution and systemic remedies. 

• Transparent governance, published decisions and annual reporting. 

• Funding rules that limit industry leverage (statutory budget lines or capped industry levies with no operational control). 

• Mandatory industry membership for dispute schemes where practicable (so a member can’t opt out to avoid redress).