Public interest disclosures

What is a public interest disclosure?

The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 enables people to make disclosures about improper conduct within the public sector without fear of reprisal. The Act aims to make disclosures and protecting them by doing so.

A public interest disclosure is any complaint, concern, matter, allegation or disclosure (however described) made in accordance with part 2 of the Act.

How does Moyne Shire Council treat public interest disclosures?

Moyne Shire Council is committed to the aims and objectives of the Public Disclosure Act 2012 (“Act”).  It recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct.  It does not tolerate improper conduct by the organisation, its employees, officers, or councillors, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.

Moyne Shire Council 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 or body who is the subject of a disclosure.

What if I want to make a public interest disclosure?

Public interest disclosures may be made by employees or by members of the public.

Part 2 of the Act provides that a person may make a disclosure:

• Orally
• In writing
• Electronically
• Anonymously

Public interest disclosures may relate to corrupt or improper conduct by:

• The organisation
• Employees of Moyne Shire Council
• Councillors

Moyne Shire Council can only address disclosures that relate to Moyne Shire Council. Protected disclosures about Councillors must be addressed by IBAC.

Who do I contact?

Moyne Shire Council has appointed a public interest disclosure officer to receive disclosures and be a contact point for general advice about the operation of the Act for any person wishing to make a disclosure. The public interest disclosure officer appointed by Moyne Shire Council is Alison Toohey. Contact details are:

Alison Toohey
Manager Governance and Corporate Planning
Princes St, Port Fairy
Post: PO Box 51, Port Fairy VIC 3284

Telephone: (03) 5568 0571
Email: alison.toohey@moyne.vic.gov.au

Moyne Shire Council’s public disclosure coordinator has a central role in the internal reporting system and maintains oversight over the system. The public interest disclosure coordinator appointed by Moyne Shire Council is:

Ed Small
Director Corporate and Governance
Princes St, Port Fairy
Post: PO Box 5, Port Fairy VIC 3284

Telephone: (03) 5568 0519
Email: ed.small@moyne.vic.gov.au

Alternative contact

Disclosures may also be made directly to IBAC:
GP Box 24234, Melbourne Vic 3000
www.ibac.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 735 135

All disclosures about councillors should be directed to IBAC.

Disclosures may also be made directly to the Victorian Ombudsman:
Level 2, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne  Vic  3000

Alternatives to making a public interest disclosure

These procedures are designed to complement normal methods of submitting complaints to Moyne Shire Council and existing communication channels between supervisors and employees.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact council with any complaints or concerns about council or council employees.

Further information

In accordance with Section 58 of the Act, Moyne Shire Council Public Interest Disclosures Procedures have been updated to be consistent with the requirements of the Act. The procedures provide a full explanation of how Moyne Shire Council will respond to public interest disclosures. It outlines definitions of what constitutes corrupt or improper conduct and outlines the different roles of the various people involved in dealing with Protected Disclosures. Council's protected disclosure policy can be viewed using this link

(PDF, 640KB)

IBAC guidelines

For further information and guidance on the new legislation or any other matters please refer to the IBAC website