7.1 Who do I submit a Public Interest Disclosure about the Victorian Inspectorate or a Victorian Inspectorate officer to?
Send it to any of these …
Integrity and Oversight Committee (IOC)
Parliament of Victoria
Integrity and Oversight Committee Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia
+61 3 8682 2815
President of the Legislative Council
President of the Legislative Council President’s Office
Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia
+61 3 9651 8675
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Office
Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia
+61 3 9651 8580 or +61 3 9651 8575
7.2 PIDs about the VI go to the IOC
The IOC can receive Victorian Inspectorate (VI) related Public Interest Disclosures (PID) either directly (or via another agency if it is a misdirected disclosure). The IOC will then assess, handle and manage any subsequent investigation.
The IOC can only classify a PID as a PIC if it shows or tends to show improper conduct or detrimental action related to making a PID or the discloser reasonably believes it does.
If the IOC says it’s a PIC, it will write to you about what it plans to do next. If it doesn’t consider it to be a PIC, then it will write confirming there won’t be an investigation and that your identity is no longer required to be kept confidential.
If the IOC doesn’t consider it a PIC, the IOC may let you know that the disclosure may be handled by another body as a complaint and that you can make a complaint to that body.
7.3 The VI can’t accept PIDs about the VI or its officers
Unless it was sent by mistake by someone honestly thinking it was the right place to send it. These are called misdirected disclosures.
If you try to make an oral disclosure to the VI about the VI or a VI officer, you will be advised to take it directly to the IOC.
If it’s a written disclosure, we have to determine if it’s a misdirected disclosure. If it is, the VI will need to let the IOC know within 28 days. This is handled by the VI’s PID Coordinator.
If it’s not a misdirected disclosure, we will consider whether to treat it as a complaint under the VI Act or the Public Administration Act 2004.
7.4 The VI will write to you explaining how the misdirected disclosure will be handled
This will include:
- that we’ve received it
- that we must notify the IOC
- if not required to notify IOC, whether the VI will deal with it as a complaint.
7.5 How the VI protects you from reprisals
The VI will not tolerate reprisals for PIDs about the VI or a VI officer.
We’ll try to minimise the risks of reprisals for a misdirected disclosure, or information given to our officers relating to a PID about us, by:
- keeping the information secure and confidential
- identifying, assessing, controlling and monitoring risks of reprisals
- making sure VI officers understand their legal obligations and offences related to reprisals.
A PID Coordinator will act on reports of reprisals. This includes:
- recording the alleged details
- explaining to you your rights, including your right to:
- make a PID about the reprisal to the IOC or to a Presiding Officer
- request a transfer to another job
- report any reprisals likely to be a criminal offence to Victoria Police.
7.6 How the VI supports your and others welfare
Our PID Coordinators provide basic welfare support to VI officers disclosing or cooperating with a disclosure, subject to the confidentiality requirements in the PID Act. This includes:
- assessing, monitoring and managing reprisal risks
- advising you about the PID Act and handling of disclosures
- assisting you to seek support services, e.g. a registered medical practitioner, an employee assistance program, a trade union or a Victorian WorkCover Authority
- helping you get a transfer or alternative work arrangements, if you think reprisals have or will happen
if there is a real risk of reprisals, we’ll appoint a welfare manager to you and to anyone else involved.
7.7 How the VI supports the person who the PID is made about
We will provide welfare support to any VI officer that’s the subject of a PID. This support will be shaped by the specific circumstances and confidentiality requirements under the PID Act.
If a disclosure is dismissed or not substantiated, we’ll ensure the subject of the PID doesn’t suffer any consequences and take all reasonable steps to ensure the allegations, investigation outcome, and their identity stay confidential.
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