TIO appoints new ombudsman

Victoria's public transport ombudsman Simon Cohen will swap vehicles for telcos by taking on the role of Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

Cohen was selected after an "extensive search" after the current ombudsman Deirdre O'Donnell announced her resignation last September.

O'Donnell left earlier this year and was replaced by Simon Cleary in an acting capacity. He will now hand the role over to Cohen.

Cohen's previous roles included the Assistant Ombudsman (Police) and lawyer at the NSW Ombudsman.

He had about 15 years experience in various complaints investigation and resolution roles, according to the TIO.

The TIO recently tripled the monetary limit of disputes it can make legally binding determinations for after receiving complaints of excess internet usage bills as high as $215,000.

It is also involved in a dispute with AAPT over the reporting of complaint statistics from its Connect.Resolve campaign.