IBAC Insights

Issue 37 | September 2023

Reduce and prevent corruption with IBAC's new public sector risk profiles

IBAC has developed a series of resources for public officers, including local government and Victoria Police personnel, highlighting the most prevalent corruption and misconduct risks in the sector and how they can prevent it from happening.

These profiles on the police, local government, transport, education, and human services sectors draw on data collected from allegations and IBAC investigations.

Making IBAC’s resources easier to understand

IBAC has revamped its key public resources to make the information more accessible and easier to understand. We have improved a series of information sheets and videos on important topics including Public Interest Disclosures, witness wellbeing, and issues that could lead to corruption such as conflicts of interest, and risks with procurement, recruitment, and criminal networks.

We have also updated our resources tailored for Victoria Police personnel, which explain IBAC’s role and the importance of reporting misconduct.

Access our library of resources and share them with your co-workers.

Corruption risks in local councils webinar: Operation Sandon special report

IBAC’s Operation Sandon investigated allegations of corrupt conduct involving councillors and property developers in the City of Casey. The investigation exposed corruption vulnerabilities in Victoria’s planning decision-making processes at both state and local government levels.

In this recent webinar, IBAC Deputy Commissioner David Wolf, Executive Director, Legal, Assessment and Review, and Compliance Stacey Killackey, and Chair of Administrators, City of Casey Noelene, answered questions from the community.

This webinar is captioned and Auslan interpreted.

Transparency International Australia National Summit

IBAC Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour spoke about IBAC’s latest operations at Transparency International Australia’s National Integrity Summit last month. Deputy Commissioner Kilgour joined inaugural National Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner The Hon Paul Brereton AM RFD SC to speak at a session called ‘Creating an Australia free from corruption’, which included a panel discussion and a presentation on IBAC’s role and recent achievements.

IBAC was also a sponsor of this two-day event, which discussed topics including whistleblowing in Australia; environmental, social and governance risks in the mining and infrastructure industries; stopping money laundering; and corruption in the energy transition.

Discussions with Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees

IBAC has been meeting with Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) across regional Victoria to discuss of how it can most effectively work with communities to encourage reporting of police misconduct.

IBAC Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour has already spoken to several RAJACs about the findings and recommendations from IBAC’s 2022 audit report Victoria Police handling of complaints made by Aboriginal people and current community concerns about police misconduct, as well as relevant IBAC complaints, investigations, and referrals.

IBAC Regional Public Interest Disclosures Forum

IBAC will be in Ballarat to provide education and awareness support to regionally based Public Interest Disclosures (PID) coordinators, integrity and governance officers, and leaders within Victorian state government departments, administrative offices, and local councils.

Reports and complaints about wrongdoing in the public sector are sometimes known as Public Interest Disclosures. Public Interest Disclosure laws protect whistleblowers.

The forum will showcase our new and improved resources available to PID coordinators and relevant staff alike.

There will also be short presentations as well as Q and A from:

• IBAC Deputy Commissioner, David Wolf
• Executive Director Prevention and Communication, Linda Timothy
• Director Public Law Policy and Oversight, Fleur Taylor
• Guest speaker from the City of Ballarat Council

Morning tea and refreshments will be provided.

Register now for this in-person forum, and please answer all the check-out questions.