Legal: Public Interest Disclosures
VicForests is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (the Act). It does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees, officers or members, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.
VicForests recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices, and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.
VicForests will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make such disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure. It will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure.
What is improper or corrupt conduct?
Improper or corrupt conduct includes:
- corruption
- serious professional misconduct
- the dishonest performance of functions as a public officer or public body
- knowingly or recklessly breaching public trust
- the misuse of information or material acquired in the course of the performance of his or her or its functions as a public officer or public body
- substantial mismanagement of public resources
- substantial risk to public health or safety, or to the environment
- conduct that adversely affects the honest performance by a public officer or public body of their functions
- conduct that is intended to adversely affect the effective performance or exercise by a public officer or public body of the functions or powers of their office and results in that person, or an associate of that person obtaining any of the following (that they would not otherwise be able to obtain):
- a licence, permit, approval, authority or other entitlement under any Act or subordinate instrument
- an appointment to a statutory office or as a member of the board of any public body under any Act or subordinate instrument
- a financial, real property or personal property benefit
- any other direct or indirect monetary or proprietary gain.
How do I report an allegation?
Any person who has reasonable grounds for believing that improper or corrupt conduct has occurred can make a disclosure. VicForests is not authorised to receive disclosures under the Act. Disclosures regarding VicForests and/or its employees or contractors can only be made to:
- Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). Details on how to make a complaint can be found on IBACs website: www.ibac.vic.gov.au/reporting-corruption/report, or by telephoning IBAC on 1300 735 135
- The Victorian Ombudsman. Details on how to make a complaint to the Ombudsman can be found on the Ombudsman’s website: www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/reporting-improper-conduct/pid-policy/#making-a-public-interest-disclosure-to-the-ombudsman or by telephone on (03) 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 (regional areas only).
- Note that the Victorian Ombudsman will refer all complaints assessed as Public Interest Disclosures to IBAC
- The Victorian Inspectorate (VI). Details on how to make a complaint to the VI can be found on its website: www.vicinspectorate.vic.gov.au/make-public-interest-disclosure-victorian-inspectorate or by telephone on (03) 8614 3232.
- Note that the VI may refer a Public Interest Disclosure to IBAC, if it is required to do so.
You may make a disclosure anonymously. You should provide any relevant evidence such as documents that support your allegation.