Email not displaying properly? Please click here to view in your browser 9 December 2020
       
IBAC Commissioner, The Honourable Robert Redlich QC

Message from our Commissioner

Welcome to the final edition of IBAC Insights for 2020. I reflect on what has been an extraordinary year, with remarkable challenges raised by the summer bushfires followed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I commend the collective resilience of our Victorian community and acknowledge the service of our public sector and Victoria Police who worked hard to maintain and expand vital frontline and other services to Victorians during difficult circumstances.

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Christine Howlett

Special features

Without access to government information, we are in the dark on corruption


By Victorian Information Commissioner Sven Bluemmel

Public trust in government and institutions across Australia is generally declining. Victoria's Information Commissioner Sven Bluemmel argues that while this decline is problematic, rebuilding trust is possible through increasing government openness and transparency. This means having access to more government information, which in turn, builds trust by keeping the public informed about what government is doing, why it is doing it, and how.

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John Croker

Human rights, integrity and trust in government decision making


By John Croker, Managing Principal Solicitor – Human Rights, Victoria Police

At the heart of a well-functioning government is its ability to maintain community trust and confidence. Key to this trust and confidence is integrity in how decisions are made – are decisions well considered? Are they non-discriminatory and impartial? Is the rationale clear and publicly available?

John Croker, legal advisor to Victoria Police on human rights, discusses how integrity is intrinsically connected to human rights in the decisions made by government.

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David Wolf

Podcast

Why government organisations need to take information misuse seriously


With IBAC Deputy Commissioner David Wolf

IBAC has published the last of three major reports into the dangers of confidential information being accessed and shared by people who work for Victorian government agencies, local councils and Victoria Police. 

IBAC's Deputy Commissioner David Wolf sees this as a major corruption issue. In this podcast he explains why leaders, government employees and elected officials all need to take information misuse more seriously, and what the consequence are when they don't.

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Research

Unauthorised access and disclosure of information


A new summary of three IBAC reports on corruption risks associated with unauthorised access and disclosure of information (Victoria Police, state government and local government) highlights common risks across the public sector, the factors that drive information misuse, and outlines strategies to prevent and detect misuse.

We encourage public sector agencies to review their information management and security strategies in light of these risks.

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News

Pressure to act quickly creates corruption risks, say local councils

Local councils and other public sector agencies based in regional Victoria faced intense pressures over the past few years as they dealt with the twin crises of bushfires and the pandemic. Participants discussed how pressures from multiple sources to act quickly created corruption vulnerabilities during IBAC's recent Corruption Prevention & Integrity Insights Regional Forum. Read more on how councils and agencies coped and what they learned about how to address these risks during future crisis and emergencies.

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New videos explain IBAC's police oversight role

IBAC's oversight of Victoria Police is one of our most visible roles. Through exposing and preventing police misconduct and corruption, IBAC helps ensure the community has confidence that Victoria Police members act ethically and lawfully. Watch our new video to learn more about IBAC's oversight of Victoria Police and how community members can report police misconduct to IBAC.

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IBAC's new digital case studies promote corruption prevention

IBAC's new 'In Focus' digital case study series on major investigations are an easy and engaging way to explore how investigations unfolded, and provide relevant corruption prevention resources. The first in this digital series is Operation Fitzroy, IBAC's first major investigation into serious corruption within the Victorian government.

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Investigations update

IBAC investigations are an important mechanism for exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct. This is a summary of IBAC announcements from October to November 2020 regarding our operations.

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Feedback

We welcome your feedback and suggestions for IBAC Insights. Contact communications@ibac.vic.gov.au.

     
     
     
         
Events

Corruption Prevention & Integrity Insights regional forum

IBAC's bi-annual Corruption Prevention & Integrity Insights regional forum was held via webinar in November. The forum brought together CEOs, senior leaders, and managers with an integrity role from local and state government agencies for tips and advice on building integrity, and to network with peers across the region.

> watch a recording of the webinar
     
     

IBAC staff working remotely

IBAC staff continue to work remotely due to COVID-19. During this time we are still taking complaints as we continue our work to prevent and expose public sector corruption and police misconduct. Upcoming public hearings and webinars will be listed on our website.

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Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
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Postal address GPO Box 24234 Melbourne VIC 3001
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