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IBAC Insights
Issue 43 | April 2025
Commissioner's message
Welcome to the April edition of IBAC Insights, our first newsletter for 2025.
After a productive period for IBAC since my last ‘Commissioner’s message’ in December last year, I have been looking forward to the opportunity to share some fresh organisational insights with you all.
IBAC's new Deputy Commissioner Liana Buchanan
On 24 March 2025, Liana Buchanan joined IBAC as Deputy Commissioner responsible for leading and overseeing IBAC’s police oversight role. Liana has kindly provided some insight into her career, her motivations for joining IBAC and what the first few months of her role will look like.
Special feature
Preventing corruption in high-risk public sector agencies
by Alison Byrne, IBAC CEO
The Victorian community expects the public sector to operate fairly and honestly, free from misconduct and corruption. The community also expects public sector employees to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism.
The way the public sector operates, and the pressures that public servants face, has evolved in recent years. Victorians have faced several ‘unprecedented’ challenges with effects that will have an impact for many more years to come. The COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation and interest rates, a housing crisis and budget constraints across the public sector – these factors create a vulnerable environment which can heighten the risk of corruption occurring.
News
Focused Police Complaints Pilot summary report
IBAC recognises the challenges faced by people making a complaint about suspected corruption or police misconduct. Whether these challenges arise for social, economic or cultural reasons or because it can be difficult to speak out, IBAC understands that making a complaint or being part of an IBAC investigation may be a confronting experience.
Our Focused Police Complaints Pilot trialled the establishment of a dedicated team to assess and investigate single incident complaints about the conduct of Victoria Police personnel from people who are at a higher risk of experiencing misconduct.
The Pilot was evaluated last year and a report published summarising the outcomes and next steps for this important work.
Police misconduct allegations data
IBAC's corruption and misconduct allegations dashboard was updated in February to include allegations received about police misconduct.
Anyone can now view the numbers and types of police misconduct allegations IBAC has received from across Victoria, or for specific commands and divisions. The percentage of allegations investigated, referred or dismissed by IBAC is also provided.
The dashboard is a publicly accessible, interactive way to explore more than five years of de-identified allegations data (1 July 2018 to 31 December 2023). It aims to improve transparency and provide a clearer picture of police misconduct and public sector corruption risks. The dashboard and insights drawn from the data are a key part of IBAC’s ongoing commitment to helping Victoria Police and government agencies detect and prevent these serious issues.
Publications and resources
IBAC resources
- Public sector corruption and misconduct allegations dashboard
- Public sector corruption risk profiles
- Focused Police Complaints Pilot summary report
- Community engagement strategy 2024-27
Victorian Ombudsman
- Support when children are sexually abused at school: The Department of Education’s response to abuse in a Victorian primary school
- Strategic plan 2025-29
Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
- Reporting on Local Government Performance: Follow-up
- Major Projects Performance Reporting 2024
- Managing Disruptions Affecting Victoria's Public Transport Network
Crime and Corruption Commission Queensland
- Probity as a means of managing corruption risks in procurement
- Assessing allegations of corrupt conduct: Recordkeeping requirements under section 40A
- Managing gifts and benefits for Hospital and Health Service employees
Corruption and Crime Commission Western Australia
- Review of WA Police action into recommendation to improve investigation processes
- Serious Misconduct Overview Reports Q1 and Q2
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Northern Territory
- ICAC NT General Report January 2025
- Operation Tasman - Alleged improper conduct in respect of the use of leave entitlements by a senior public officer
- Operation Jupiter - Allegations of improper conduct by public officers in the lead up to the 2020 General Election
National Anti-Corruption Commission
Street address: Level 1 North Tower 459 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Postal address: GPO Box 24234 Melbourne VIC 3001
T: 1300 735 135
ABN 37 978 651 307