Whistleblowers Protection Act

This is an Act of the State Parliament introduced on 1 January 2002.  The purpose of the Act is to enable people to make a “disclosure” about improper conduct by councillors and council officers.  The Act also provides protection to people who make such disclosures and provides for such matters to be properly investigated.

People making a disclosure must believe on reasonable grounds, that the councillor or council employee has engaged in or proposes to engage in corrupt or detrimental behaviour.  The conduct must be serious enough to constitute a criminal offence or reasonable grounds for dismissal.
 
Examples of such a disclosure may include:

-  an officer taking a bribe to grant a permit ;
-  an officer ignoring or concealing evidence of an illegal activity being conducted in the municipality;
-  a council officer selling or revealing confidential information to enable someone to gain advantage such as information about a tender.

Please note that disclosures can be made anonymously.

Process for making a Whistleblower disclosure:

Any person wishing to report suspected fraud or misconduct relating to a Banyule City Council officer or contractor is able to do so confidentially by contacting:

Chief Executive Officer
PO Box 51
IVANHOE  VIC  3079
Telephone 9490 4209

Ensure the envelope is marked “Confidential and Private”.

Reports relating to councillors or the chief executive must be made directly to the State’s Ombudsman:

The Ombudsman Victoria
Level 22, 459 Collins Street 
MELBOURNE  VIC  3000
Phone: 9613 6222
Toll free: 1800 806 314
Email:  ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Website:  www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

Click on the link below to view the Whistleblowers Protection Act - Ombudsman's Guidelines.

Related Documents: