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Public Interest Disclosures

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012 came into operation on 10 February 2013 and Council is subject to this Act.  The main objectives of this Act are to encourage and facilitate disclosures of improper conduct and detrimental action by public officers and public bodies and other persons.

It ensures that public organisations operate in a responsible, open and accountable manner and to protect the public by exposing serious public sector unlawful activity. The main objective of the Act is to encourage and facilitate the making of disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by public officers and public bodies.

The Act provides protection to persons who make those disclosures and persons who may suffer detrimental action in reprisal for those disclosures.  It also provides for the confidentiality of the content of those disclosures and the identity of persons who make those disclosures.

The Act covers Council in its entirety, including council staff, officers and councillors. Disclosures about councillors must be made to the IBAC (Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission) or the Ombudsman (Victorian Ombudsman).

Council is required to establish and publish procedures in the application of the legislation and also ensure it is readily available to members of the public as well as internally to all Councillors, employees and staff of the Council.

How do I make a disclosure?

  • In writing to: Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator, Buloke Shire Council, PO Box 1, Wycheproof VIC 3527
  • By e-mail to disclosures@buloke.vic.gov.au
  • By phone to 1300 520 520

Will my disclosure be kept confidential?

Yes. All disclosures by internal and external disclosers will be kept strictly confidential. No identification is necessary prior to being transferred to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator on such occasions. To ensure confidentiality all disclosures made by email should be made to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator at disclosures@buloke.vic.gov.au

Can I contact anyone else?

A disclosure may be made directly to IBAC or the Ombudsman:

IBAC

Visit IBAC for more information or complaint forms
Phone: 1300 735 135
Toll free: 1800 555 677

The Ombudsman Victoria

Level 9, 459 Collins Street
MELBOURNE 3000
DX 210274
Email: ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9613 6922Toll Free: 1800 806 314

If the disclosure relates to Councillors, the disclosure must be made direct to IBAC or the State Ombudsman.

If the disclosure relates to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator, the disclosure should be made to the Chief Executive Officer.

If the disclosure relates to the Chief Executive Officer, the disclosure should be made to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator

  • Public Interest Disclosure Policy These procedures establish a system for making disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Council or its Councillors, officers or employees.
  • Public Interest Disclosure Procedure These procedures establish a system for making disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action by the Council or its Councillors, officers or employees.