Public Interest Disclosures
Protection of people who make genuine disclosures about improper conduct in the public sector is critical for an effective integrity and anti-corruption system.
How Council treats Public Interest Disclosure
Council does not tolerate corrupt or improper conduct by its employees, officers or members, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclosure such conduct.
Employees and members of the public are encouraged to report known or suspected incidences of corrupt or improper conduct.
Council will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make disclosures without the fear of reprisal. It will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure.
Protecting persons making a disclosure
All correspondence, phone calls and emails from persons making disclosures are referred to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator.
The Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator will take all necessary steps to ensure that the identity of the person making a public interest disclosure and the person who is subject of the disclosure are kept confidential. Where necessary, the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator will arrange for appropriate welfare support for the person making a public interest disclosure.
How to make a disclosure
Public Interest Disclosures may be made by employees or by members of the public.
Part 2 of the Act provides that a person may make a disclosure:
- Orally
- In writing
- Electronically
- Anonymously
Contact by post:
Confidential and Private
Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator
111 Brown Street
Hamilton VIC 3300
Contact by phone:
Phone: (03) 5573 0425
Public Interest Disclosures may relate to corrupt or improper conduct by:
- The organisation
- Employees of Southern Grampians Shire Council
- Councillors
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)
Council can only address disclosures that relate to Southern Grampians. Public Interest Disclosures about Councillors must be addressed by IBAC.
IBAC is Victoria’s anti-corruption agency responsible for preventing and exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct.
They do this by:
- investigating serious corruption and police misconduct
- informing the public sector, police and the community about the risks and impacts of corruption and police misconduct, and ways in which it can be prevented.