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Public interest disclosures

A public interest disclosure (PID) is information provided about improper conduct or detrimental action by a public officer. In the past, a person who made a PID was known as a whistleblower.

Public interest disclosures (PIDs) are vital to ensure integrity of the Victorian public service, including councils, and fight corruption.

If your complaint shows or tends to show that a councillor or member of council staff has engaged or proposes to engage in improper conduct or detrimental action, this could constitute a PID. Improper conduct must either be criminal conduct or other wrong conduct specified under the Act.

When you make a complaint with us, you will be asked if your complaint is a PID. You must carefully consider whether your complaint meets these criteria.

If you do nominate your complaint to be handled as a PID, we must notify IBAC and refer the complaint to them for assessment.

Because PIDs are sent to IBAC for assessment, it may take longer for the Inspectorate to assess and respond.

After it is assessed, the complaint could be referred back to us for investigation because the Chief Municipal Inspector is an investigating entity under the PID Act.

If your complaint is assessed as a public interest disclosure:

  • your name will not be publicised
  • you and your family, friends and colleagues will be protected from being fired or bullied for making a complaint
  • you will receive protection from defamation and detrimental action in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure
  • you will receive immunity from:
    • civil or criminal liability as well as administrative action (including disciplinary action) for making the disclosure
    • committing an offence under the Constitution Act 1975 (Vic) or any other Act that imposes obligations of confidentiality or otherwise restricts the disclosure of information
    • breaching any other obligation (made by oath or rule of law or practice) requiring the maintenance of confidentiality or otherwise restricting the disclosure of information

You can choose to have us assess the complaint if you tell us that your complaint is not a public interest disclosure (see section 19(1) of the PID Act).

Any complaint made to the Inspectorate is dealt with in strict confidence. We will also respond to your complaint as soon as practicable.

If you'd like us to consider your complaint, you must fill in the relevant section on the complaint form to agree that your complaint is not a public interest disclosure.

Submit an online complaint

More information

For more information about PIDs, please refer to IBAC's information sheet, prior to submitting your complaint.

Updated

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