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.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 enables people to make disclosures about improper conduct within the public sector without fear of reprisal. The Act aims to ensure openness and accountability by encouraging people to make disclosures and protecting them when they do.

Protections include keeping the identity of the person reporting improper conduct confidential and protecting them from reprisals including bullying, harassment or legal action.

Southern Grampians Shire 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.

Southern Grampians Shire Council will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make disclosures without the fear of reprisal.

Southern Grampians Shire Council will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the 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.

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:

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:

Southern Grampians Shire 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.

IBAC details:
www.ibac.vic.gov.au or call 1300 735 135
Level 1, North Tower 459 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
GPO Box 24234
Melbourne VIC 3001

For further information, please refer to Council's Public Interest Disclosure Procedure.

Southern Grampians Shire Council's Public Interest Disclosure Procedure

IBAC Information Sheet

IBAC Frequently Asked Questions