Source: https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/policies-strategies/public-interests-disclosures-policy
Timestamp: 2020-07-02 12:46:21
Document Index: 240334340

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 6', 'art 2', 'art 6', 'art 2']

Public Interests Disclosures Policy | City of Casey
Public Interests Disclosures Policy
Council recognises the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct. This policy outlines the way in which any individual, including members of the public, staff and Councillors can disclose information which enables the prevention of fraud and corruption.
This policy fulfils Councils requirement to establish and publish procedures under s 58 of the Act and in accordance with the Guidelines of the IBAC published under s 57 of the Act.[1] The purpose of the Act is to encourage and facilitate the making of disclosures of improper conduct and detrimental action by public officers and public bodies.
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 the disclosure. Councils process for Welfare Management of a Public Interest Disclosure (PID) is outlined in a separate process. An essential component of this protection is to ensure that information connected to a public interest disclosure, including the identity of a discloser and the contents of that disclosure, are kept strictly confidential.
Council can only deal with disclosures which concern the Council, its employees, staff or officers.
The conduct or action being disclosed may be one which has taken place, is still occurring, or is believed is intended to be taken or engaged in. Disclosures may also be made about conduct that occurred prior to the commencement of the Act on 10 February 2013. Disclosures about improper conduct or detrimental action by Council’s Councillors must be made to the IBAC or to the Ombudsman. Those disclosures may not be made to the Council. This policy encompasses:
how disclosures may be made to Council
how the Council manages the receipt of disclosures
notifications Council is required to make about disclosures, to both disclosers and to the IBAC
any disclosure made to Council which requires notification of the IBAC or relevant integrity agency for assessment under s 21 of the Act
a person who (purports to) make(s) a complaint, allegation or disclosure (however described) under the Act.
any complaint, concern, matter, allegation or disclosure (however described) purported to be made in accordance with Part 2 of the Act
defined as a PID made to a person or body who is not an entity to whom a PID can be made under Division 2, Part 2 of the PID Act
the Guidelines published by IBAC under s 57 of the Act as at January 2020, copies of which may be downloaded from https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/publications-and-resources/article/guidelines-for-making-and-handling-protected-disclosures (last accessed on 31 January 2020)
IBAC Act
Integrity and Oversight Committee
Investigative entity
any one of the seven (7) bodies authorised to investigate a public interest disclosure complaint, being the IBAC, the Victorian Ombudsman, the Chief Commissioner of Police, VI, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, the Chief Municipal Inspector, the Information Commissioner and the Racing Integrity Commissioner.
Misdirected Disclosure
a new ‘no wrong door’ provision. This allows for a Public Interest Disclosure made to the wrong receiving entity to be redirected to another receiving entity, without the discloser losing the protections of the PID scheme
A human being, not a legal entity like a corporate body
the administrative head of an organisation. In the case of a local council this is the Chief Executive Officer.
any complaint, concern, matter, allegation or disclosure (however described) made by a natural person that shows, or tends to show, or information that the person reasonably believes shows, or tends to show, improper conduct or detrimental action and which is made in accordance with Part 2 of the Act
Public Interest complaint
a public interest disclosure that has been determined by IBAC, the VI or OIC to be a public interest complaint under s 26 of the Act
the person appointed under these procedures to oversee and coordinate the receipt of public interest disclosures and related activities
a person appointed under these procedures to take public interest disclosures
a person employed in any capacity, including as a third-party contractor, or holding any capacity in the public sector.
Protected Disclosure Regulations 2013 (Vic) or such other regulations that might be made under the Act
Council’s internal reporting structures
ensure these procedures, including detailed information about how disclosures may be made and to whom, are accessible on its website and available internally and externally to staff, Councillors, employees and any individual in the broader community;
take the appropriate disciplinary and other action against any staff, Councillors or employees engaged in the taking of detrimental action;
ensure any staff involved with handling public interest disclosures are trained to receive and manage public interest disclosures appropriately;
ensure that Council, as a whole, handles public interest disclosures consistently and appropriately in accordance with its obligations under the Act, the Regulations, the IBAC’s Guidelines and these procedures; and
be visible, approachable, openly communicative and lead by example in establishing a workplace that supports the making of public interest disclosures.
Employees, staff, members and Councillors
Employees, staff, members and Councillors are encouraged to raise matters of concern internally in relation to Council staff or individual Councillors. In particular, employees, staff, and Councillors are encouraged to report known or suspected incidences of improper conduct or detrimental action in accordance with these procedures.
All employees, staff, members and Councillors must refrain from any activity that is, or could be perceived to be, victimisation or harassment of a person who makes a disclosure. Furthermore, they should protect and maintain the confidentiality of a person they know or suspect to have made a disclosure.
Direct and indirect supervisors and managers
Employees who wish to make a public interest disclosure may make that disclosure to that employee’s direct or indirect supervisor or manager.
If a person wishes to make a public interest disclosure about an employee of Council, that person may make the disclosure to that employee’s direct or indirect supervisor or manager. The supervisor or manager receiving the disclosure will:
immediately bring the matter to the attention of the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator for further action in accordance with the Act
commit to writing any disclosures made orally
take all necessary steps to ensure the information disclosed, including the identity of the discloser and any persons involved, is secured and remains private and confidential
offer to remain a support person for the discloser in dealing with the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator.
Council has appointed a Public Interest Disclosure Officer to receive disclosures and be the contact point for general advice about the operation of the Act for any person wishing to make a disclosure. The Public Interest Disclosure Officer is available to receive disclosures made internally within Council or from external sources. The Public Interest Disclosure Officer provides a confidential avenue of advice about the Act where staff or employees wish to raise a concern about their line managers, colleagues or supervisors. The Public Interest Disclosure Officer will:
arrange for a disclosure to be made privately and discreetly and, if necessary, away from the workplace
receive any disclosure made orally or in writing from internal or external sources
commit to writing any disclosure made orally
where more than one Public Interest Disclosure Officer is appointed, forward all disclosures and supporting evidence to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator for further action in accordance with the Act
impartially assess the allegation and consider whether it is a disclosure required to be notified by the IBAC for assessment under s 21 of the Act
where more than one Public Interest Disclosure Officer is appointed, offer to remain a support person for the discloser in dealing with the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator.
Council’s Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator has a central role in the internal reporting system and maintains oversight over the system. The Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator is:
contactable by external and internal persons making disclosures and has the authority to make enquiries of officers within the organisation;
to receive all disclosures forwarded from Council’s Public Interest Disclosure Officer;
the contact point for general advice about the operation of the Act and primary liaison with the IBAC and relevant integrity agencies in regard to the Act
responsible for ensuring that Council carries out its responsibilities under the Act, any regulations made pursuant to the Act and any guidelines issued by the IBAC;
responsible for coordinating Council’s reporting system;
required to consider each disclosure impartially to determine whether it should be notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act;
responsible for arranging any necessary and appropriate welfare support for the discloser, including appointing a Welfare Manager to support the discloser and to protect him or her from any reprisals;
to advise the discloser, appropriately and in accordance with the Act, the stage at which the disclosure is at (whether it has been notified to the IBAC for assessment, etc.);
to collate statistics on disclosures made; and
to liaise with the CEO of Council.
What is a disclosure and who can make a disclosure?
A disclosure may be made about two things under the Act:
detrimental action taken by public bodies or public officers in reprisal
against a person for the making of a public interest disclosure.
Public Interest disclosures may be made about any person who adversely affects the honest performance of the functions of Councillors, Council or its officers and employees. That includes any conspiracy or attempt to engage in such conduct. For example, if a planning applicant tries to bribe a City of Casey officer to obtain a planning permit, the applicant would have engaged in the conduct referred to.
The term disclosure is interpreted under the Act in the ordinary sense of the word. The IBAC considers that a complaint or allegation that is already in the public domain will not normally be a public interest disclosure. Such material would, for example, include matters which have already been subject to media or other public commentary. A public interest disclosure may:
only be made by a natural person (or a group of individuals making joint disclosures),[2] disclosures cannot be made by a company or an organisation;
be made anonymously;[3]
The following are not public interest disclosures under the Act:
a disclosure that has not been made in accordance with all of the procedural requirements of Part 2 of the Act and the prescribed procedures in the Regulations (also see section 4.6.2 of this policy below);
a disclosure made that expressly states in writing, at the time of making the disclosure, that the disclosure is not a disclosure under the Act;
a disclosure made by an officer or employee of an investigative entity in the course of carrying out his or her duties or functions under the relevant legislation, unless the person expressly states in writing that the disclosure is a disclosure and the disclosure is otherwise made in accordance with Part 2 of the Act.
If Council receives any disclosures which do not meet all of the requirements of Part 2 of the Act or the prescribed procedures in the Regulations, Council will not be required to consider whether it is a public interest disclosure under the Act.
However, Council will always consider whether it would be appropriate to inform the discloser how to make the disclosure in a way that would comply with the requirements of the Act and the Regulations in order to ensure that persons are properly afforded the opportunity to receive any appropriate protections available to them under the Act.
In addition, Council is required to consider whether a disclosure that does not meet the requirements of the Act and the Regulations should be treated as a complaint, notification or referral to Council in accordance with any other laws or internal policies and procedures.
4.6.2 What can a disclosure be made about?
A disclosure must be about where information shows, or a reasonable belief exists
that a public body or public officer has engaged, is engaging in or is conspiring to engage in improper conduct in the performance of their functions or
has, is or will engage in detrimental action as a reprisal for a disclosure made
Improper conduct is defined in the Act to mean:
conduct of a public officer or public body engaged in by the public officer or public body in their capacity as a public officer or a public body that constitutes—
serious professional misconduct; or
dishonest performance of public functions; or
an intentional or reckless breach of public trust; or
an intentional or reckless misuse of information or material acquired in the course of the performance of the functions of the public officer or public body; or
a substantial risk to the environment; or
conduct of any person that—
adversely affects the honest performance by a public officer or public body of their functions as a public officer or public body; or
is intended to adversely affect the effective performance or exercise by a public
officer or public body of the functions or powers of the public officer or public body and results in the person, or an associate of the person, obtaining—
any other direct or indirect monetary or proprietary gain that the person or associate would not have otherwise obtained; or
conduct of any person that could constitute a conspiracy or attempt to engage in any of the conduct referred above.
conduct that is trivial does not constitute improper conduct for the purposes of this Act.
It is an offence under the Act for a public officer or body to take detrimental action against a person in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure. There are two essential components here: whether there is in fact “detrimental action”, as defined by the Act, and whether that action is being taken in reprisal against a person for making or being connected with a public interest disclosure.
Detrimental action as defined by the Act includes:
In addition, a person can have taken detrimental action without having taken the action itself, but just by threatening to take such action. Further, the detrimental action need not necessarily have been taken (or threatened to be taken) against a person making a public interest disclosure, but against any person connected with a public interest disclosure.
Examples of detrimental action prohibited by the Act include:
threats to a person’s personal safety or property, including intimidating, harassing a discloser or the disclosers family or friends, otherwise causing personal injury or prejudice to the safety or damaging property of a discloser or their family or friends;
the demotion, transfer, isolation or change in duties of a discloser due to their having made a disclosure;
discriminating against the discloser or their family and associates in subsequent applications for promotions, jobs, permits or tenders resulting in financial loss or reputational damage.
To substantiate detrimental action, the person (or the person incited to take detrimental action) must take or threaten the detrimental action, because, or in the belief that the:
other person or anyone else has cooperated or intends to cooperate with an investigation of the disclosure.
The reason for the person taking detrimental action in reprisal must be a ‘substantial’ reason for taking that action, or it will not be considered to be detrimental action.
4.6.3 How can a disclosure be made?
A disclosure must be made in accordance with Part 2 of the Act
Disclosures about improper conduct or detrimental action by Council or its employees and staff may be made to Council or one of four external authorities:
The IBAC https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/reporting-corruption/report
The Ombudsman https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/Complaints/Make-a-Complaint
the VI in relation to limited types of disclosures https://w.www.vic.gov.au/vicinspectorate/complaints/public-interest-disclosures.html; or
The Chief Commissioner of Police in relation to limited types of disclosures.
In most circumstances, disclosures about Council, its employees, agency staff or third-party contractors should be made to Council or to the IBAC.
If a person does not wish their allegation or complaint to be treated as a disclosure made under Part 2 of the Act, the person must, at the time of making the disclosure, expressly state in writing that the disclosure is not a disclosure for the purposes of the Act.
How to make a disclosure to Council
An oral disclosure to Council must be made in private and may be made:
by telephone to one of the persons authorised to receive disclosures set out in clauses 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 of this policy, including by leaving a voicemail message on that telephone number; or
The oral disclosure must be made to one of the following persons:
the CEO of Council;
a Public Interest Disclosure Officer or Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator as identified in this policy;
to the direct or indirect manager of the discloser, if an employee of Council; or
to the direct or indirect manager of the person to whom the disclosure relates, if that person is an employee of Council.
If the disclosure is made orally, the person receiving the disclosure will make notes at the time recording the disclosure. Recording of the conversation will only be done with the discloser’s permission or by giving prior warning that the conversation will be recorded.
A written disclosure to Council must be:
delivered personally to the office of Council at:
sent by post addressed to the Public Interest Disclosure Officer/Coordinator of Council at
sent by email to the office of Council at: caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au or
sent by email to the official email address of:
the direct or indirect supervisor or manager of the discloser, if the discloser is an employee of Council;
the direct or indirect supervisor or manager of the person to whom the disclosure relates, where that person is an employee of Council;
a Public Interest Disclosure Officer identified in this policy;
the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator specified in this policy.
Council recommends that the discloser ensures that the disclosure be sealed in an envelope which is clearly marked with one or more of the following:
“Re: Public Interest disclosure”;
“To the personal attention of the CEO: Public Interest Disclosure”;
“To the personal attention of the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator”; or
“To the personal attention of the Public Interest Disclosure Officer”.
Where a public interest disclosure is sent via email, it is recommended that the subject line refer to ‘Public Interest Disclosure’.
4.7 Handling disclosures
4.7.1 Assessing a disclosure
When Council receives a complaint, report or allegation of improper conduct or detrimental action, it will confirm that the disclosure has been made in accordance with requirements of Part 2 of the Act.
This will be the case even if the discloser does not refer to the Act or require the protections of the Act.
The initial assessment is made on the nature of the information disclosed or on the belief that the discloser has about the nature of the information, and not the disclosers intention.
Assessment of Disclosure
Council will assess whether the information disclosed shows, or tends to show, that there is improper conduct or detrimental action taken in reprisal for the making of a public interest disclosure.
seek further information;
conduct a discreet initial enquiry;
seek (further) evidence from the discloser;
ascertain whether there is sufficient supporting material to demonstrate that the conduct or actions covered by the Act have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur.
If it is not clear that the information disclosed shows or tends to show that there is improper conduct or detrimental action, then Council will assess if the discloser has substantiated a reasonable belief that improper conduct or detrimental action has, is or will occur.
According to the IBAC, simply stating that improper conduct or detrimental action is occurring, without providing any supporting information, would not be a sufficient basis for having a reasonable belief. In the IBAC’s view, a belief cannot be based on a mere allegation or conclusion unsupported by any further facts or circumstances.
Other matters that the IBAC suggests Council can consider are:
the reliability of the information provided by the discloser, even if it is second- or third-hand. For example, how would the discloser have obtained the information?
the amount of detail that has been provided in the information disclosed; and
the credibility of the discloser, or of those people who have provided the discloser with information.
Where urgent action is required while an assessment is still being made
In some circumstances, the disclosure may be about improper conduct that may pose an immediate threat to health and safety of individuals, preservation of property, or may consist of serious criminal conduct.
Examples of this provided by the IBAC include where the disclosure may be about:
a child protection worker allegedly sexually assaulting children in care;
a council worker allegedly lighting bush fires; or
a person is threatening to poison the water supply.
In these situations, Council can take immediate action while continuing to assess the disclosure.
It may be necessary to report criminal conduct to Victoria Police for immediate investigation or take management action against an employee to prevent future conduct.
The Act allows Council to disclose the content of the disclosure by a person or body “to the extent necessary for the purpose of taking lawful action in relation to the conduct that is the subject of an assessable disclosure including disciplinary process or action”. However, the IBAC notes that this does not allow the identity of the discloser to be revealed.
Assessment decisions – Not deemed to be a Public Interest Disclosure
If Council does not consider the matter to be a public interest disclosure, then it may refer the matter to other relevant internal complaint or grievance management processes.
If the discloser had indicated a wish to receive protections under the Act, Council will within 28 days of receiving the disclosure notify the discloser in writing that
Council considers the disclosure is not a public interest disclosure;
the disclosure has not been notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act; and
regardless of whether the disclosure is notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act, the protections under Part 6 of the Act apply, as detailed below in 4.9.2.
Assessment decision – Deemed to be public interest disclosure
If Council decides a matter may be a public interest disclosure under the Act, it will within 28 days of receiving the disclosure
notify the IBAC that:
Council considers the disclosure may be a public interest disclosure; and
Council is notifying the disclosure to the IBAC for assessment under s 21 of the Act
In addition, at the time of notifying the IBAC under s 21 of the Act or at any later time, Council may also provide the IBAC with any information obtained by Council regarding the disclosure in the course of its enquiries leading up to its notification of the disclosure to the IBAC.
notify the discloser that:
the disclosure has been notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act; and
it is an offence under s 45 of the Act to disclose that the disclosure has been notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act.
If the disclosure satisfies Part 2 of the Act, the discloser is entitled to receive protections under Part 6 of the Act (see Welfare Management Process).
4.8 Assessment by the IBAC
Once a disclosure has been notified to the IBAC, the IBAC must determine whether it is a public interest disclosure complaint.
The IBAC must inform Council of its determination as to whether or not the disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint
within a reasonable time after making the determination.
In making its assessment, the IBAC may seek additional information from Council or from the discloser if the IBAC considers there is insufficient information to make a decision.
4.8.1 If the IBAC determines the disclosure is not a public interest disclosure complaint
If the IBAC determines the disclosure is not a public interest disclosure complaint, the IBAC must advise the discloser in writing and within a reasonable time after the determination is made, that:
the IBAC has determined that the disclosure is not a public interest disclosure complaint; and
the disclosure will not be investigated as a public interest disclosure complaint; and
regardless of whether the IBAC has determined that the disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint, the protections under Part 6 apply to the disclosure.
In addition, if the IBAC is of the view that the disclosure, although not a public interest disclosure complaint, may be able to be dealt with by another entity, the IBAC may advise the discloser that:
the matter which is the subject of the disclosure may be able to be dealt with by an entity other than as a public interest disclosure complaint; and
if the discloser wishes to pursue the matter, to make a complaint directly to that entity.
If this is the case, the IBAC will also advise the relevant notifying entity that the discloser has been given this advice.
The IBAC is also able to consider whether it wishes to treat the assessable disclosure as a notification made to the IBAC under the IBAC Act.
4.8.2 If the IBAC determines the disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint
If the IBAC determines a matter is a public interest disclosure complaint, the IBAC must advise the discloser in writing and within a reasonable time after the determination is made, that:
the IBAC has determined that the disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint;
regardless of the determination, the protections available to a discloser of a public interest disclosure under Part 6 of the Act apply;
it is an offence under s 74 of the Act to disclose that the IBAC has determined that the disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint.
Once the IBAC has determined that a disclosure is a public interest disclosure complaint, the discloser cannot withdraw that disclosure. However, under the IBAC Act, the IBAC can decide not to investigate a public interest disclosure complaint if the discloser requests that it not be investigated.
Further actions the IBAC may take[4]
Under the IBAC Act, the IBAC may dismiss, investigate, or refer a public interest disclosure complaint.
If the IBAC dismisses a public interest disclosure complaint, then it must do so on one of the grounds specifically set out in the IBAC Act. In particular, the IBAC must dismiss a public interest disclosure complaint if the matter disclosed is a matter that neither the IBAC nor an investigating entity may investigate.
Depending on the action decided to be taken by the IBAC, the IBAC must also provide certain other information to the discloser. That information is set out at the chart on page 16 of the IBAC’s Guidelines for Handling Public Interest Disclosures.[5]
Other investigative entities’ investigations of a public interest disclosure complaint[6]
If the IBAC or another investigative entity is conducting an investigation of a public interest disclosure complaint, it may be in contact with Council or person about which the disclosure has been made. This will be for the purpose of conducting investigative enquiries.
Council or the person who has disclosed will be able to disclose information about the public interest disclosure complaint to the investigative entity without breaching the confidentiality requirements of the Act.
The relevant investigative entity may also disclose the identity of the discloser and the content of the disclosure if necessary, to do so for the purposes of their investigative action. If this is the case, then Council or the person to whom the information has been disclosed, is bound by the confidentiality requirements of Part 7 of the Act.
In addition, if Council or a public officer is advised of the identity of the discloser then they will be required to look after the welfare of the discloser and provide protection against possible detrimental action.
At the conclusion of its investigation, the relevant investigative entity must generally provide the discloser with information about the results of its investigation, including any action taken by the investigative entity and any recommendation by the investigative agency that action or further action be taken.
The investigative entity may provide written information about the commencement, conduct or result of an investigation, including any actions taken and any recommendation made that any action or further action be taken to the relevant principal officer. However, the investigative entity must not provide any information that is likely to lead to the identification of a discloser.
The investigative entity does not have to provide this information to either the discloser or the relevant principal officer in specified circumstances set out in the IBAC Act or the Ombudsman Act 1973.
4.8.3 Protections for persons making a public interest disclosure
Part 6 of the Act sets out the protections provided to persons who make a disclosure that is a ‘public interest disclosure’, i.e., one that is made in accordance with Part 2 of the PID Act. In summary, they are as follows:
the discloser is not subject to any civil or criminal liability for making the public interest disclosure;
the discloser is not subject to any administrative action (including disciplinary action) for making the public interest disclosure;
by making the public interest disclosure, the whistle-blower is not committing an offence against the Constitution Act 1975 or any other law that imposes obligations of confidentiality or otherwise restricts the disclosure of information;
by making the public interest disclosure, the discloser is not breaching any other obligation (made by oath, rule of law or practice) requiring them to maintain confidentiality; and
the discloser cannot be held liable for defamation in relation to information included in a public interest disclosure made
The protections in Part 6 apply from the time at which the disclosure is made. They apply even if Council receiving the disclosure does not notify the disclosure to the IBAC, and even if the IBAC has determined that the public interest disclosure is not a public interest disclosure complaint.
The protections also apply to further information relating to a public interest disclosure made by the original discloser, if the further information has been provided, verbally or in writing, to:
the entity to which the public interest disclosure was made
the IBAC or
any investigative entity investigating the public interest disclosure.
Loss of protections caused by actions of the discloser
However, a discloser is not protected if they commit an offence under s 72 or s 73 of Act, as follows:
provide false or misleading information, or further information that relates to a public interest disclosure, that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, intending that the information be acted on as a public interest disclosure (maximum penalty: a fine of 120 penalty units, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both)
claim that a matter is the subject of a public interest disclosure knowing the claim to be false (maximum penalty: a fine of 120 penalty units, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both)
falsely claim that a matter is the subject of a disclosure that IBAC has determined to be a public interest disclosure complaint (maximum penalty: a fine of 120 penalty units, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both).
A person who has made a disclosure is not protected against legitimate management action being taken by Council in accordance with the Act.
In addition, although the person making a public interest disclosure is not subject to criminal or civil liability for making the disclosure, the Act specifically provides that a person remains liable for their own conduct even though the person has made a disclosure of that conduct under the Act. Therefore, the discloser will still be held liable for their own conduct that they disclose as part of making a public interest disclosure.
Where a discloser is implicated in improper conduct, Council will handle the disclosure and protect the discloser from reprisals in accordance with the Act, the IBAC’s guidelines and this policy. Council acknowledges that the act of disclosing should not shield disclosers from the reasonable consequences flowing from any involvement in improper conduct. However, in some circumstances, an admission may be a mitigating factor when considering disciplinary or other action.
The management of the welfare of a discloser may become complicated when that person is implicated in misconduct, whether or not that misconduct is related to the disclosure.
Taking disciplinary or other action against a person who has made a public interest disclosure invariably creates the perception that it is being taken in reprisal for the disclosure.
The CEO will make the final decision on the advice of the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator as to whether disciplinary or other action will be taken against a discloser. Where disciplinary or other action relates to conduct that is the subject of the disclosure, the disciplinary or other action will only be taken after the disclosed matter has been appropriately dealt with. In all cases where disciplinary or other action is being contemplated, any such action will not be taken without Council’s CEO ensuring that:
the fact that a person has made a public interest disclosure is not a substantial reason for Council taking the action against the employee;
Council will take all reasonable steps to thoroughly document its decision-making process, including recording the reasons why the disciplinary or other action is being taken, and the reasons why the action is not being taken in retribution against the discloser for making the disclosure, so that it will be able to clearly demonstrate that the disciplinary or other action was taken for the appropriate and permitted reasons under the Act.
4.8.4 External Disclosures
A new class of disclosure is created for ‘external disclosures’. External disclosures are defined as a PID made to a person or body who is not an entity to whom a PID can be made under Division 2, Part 2 of the PID Act (the part which prescribes how and to whom PIDs must be made).
A discloser may disclose the details of a PIC to an external person or body (who is not able to receive disclosures) if the assessing entity does not notify the discloser about any action taken in response to the original disclosure within six months and has not responded to a request for advice within 30 days. An external disclosure may also be made if the investigation of the original disclosure is not completed within 12 months, and the investigating entity has not responded to a request for advice within 30 days. Finally an external disclosure may be made where the investigation of the original disclosure was not completed within 12 months, the discloser has received an update within 30 days of requesting it, but the discloser has then not received any further update advising that the investigation has been completed within a further six months of that response. Some exemptions apply, for example, in relation to any information that may prejudice a criminal investigation or proceeding, or other legal proceeding, or information that is likely to lead to the disclosure of an investigative method.
4.8.5 Misdirected Disclosures
The legislation provides a new ‘no wrong door’ provision. This allows for a PID made to the wrong receiving entity to be redirected to another receiving entity, without the discloser losing the protections of the PID scheme, where:
the receiving entity must be an entity to which a PID ordinarily may be made and
the person making the disclosure must honestly believe that the receiving entity was the appropriate entity to receive the disclosure.
For example, if the Victorian Ombudsman receives a misdirected PID about Victoria Police it can redirect the PID to IBAC for assessment. Confidentiality
General obligation of confidentiality on Council and all individuals
Maintaining confidentiality in relation to public interest disclosure matters is crucial, among other things, in ensuring reprisals are not made against a discloser. Council will take all reasonable steps to protect the identity of the disclosure and the matters disclosed.
The obligation of confidentiality extends to any person receiving a disclosure or making a disclosure. It is in the interest of the discloser to ensure they do not discuss any related matters other than with authorised persons within Council, officers of the IBAC, or other persons authorised by law.
Steps taken by Council to ensure confidentiality
Council will ensure all data related to the disclosure is kept securely and accessible only by the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator or Public Interest Disclosure Officer. Where necessary, a Welfare Manager may be able to gain access as appropriate to related welfare matters.
The Welfare Manager will not divulge any details relating to the disclosed matter to any person other than the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator, an investigator appropriately authorised under the Act or the IBAC Act, or the CEO. All meetings between any relevant persons, including the Public Disclosure Officer, the Welfare Manager and a discloser will be conducted discreetly to protect the confidentiality of the person making a public interest disclosure.
All relevant data will be stored on an appropriate storage device with specific password protection.
The FOI Act provides a general right of access for any person to seek documents in the possession of Council.
However, the Act provides that certain information related to public interest disclosures as contained in documents in the possession of Council will be exempt from the application of the FOI Act.
Such information excluded from the operation of the FOI Act includes:
any information relating to a disclosure made in accordance with the Act;
any information relating to a disclosure notified to the IBAC by Council under s 21 of the Act for assessment; and
Council is required to contact the IBAC prior to providing any document originating from the IBAC or relating to a public interest disclosure, if that document is sought under the FOI Act.
Limited exceptions permitted by the Act
The Act makes it a crime to disclose information connected with a disclosure made in accordance with the Act. Limited exceptions to the prohibition on disclosure are specified by the Act, include circumstances such as:
where disclosure is required by Council (or one of its officers) in the exercise of functions of Council under the Act;
by an investigating entity for the purpose of exercising that entity’s functions under the IBAC Act;
in accordance with a direction or authorisation given by the investigating entity that is investigating the disclosure;
where the IBAC, the Victorian Inspectorate or Integrity & Oversight Committee has determined that the assessable disclosure is not a public interest complaint and the whistleblower or City of Casey subsequently discloses the information;
when an investigating entity had published a report to Parliament, in accordance with its confidentiality obligations;
where a person is under 18 years of age, to a parent or guardian of a;
ensure that staff employees, officers and Councillors have access to a copy of this policy
incorporate into its induction process training about Council’s general obligations under the Act and the rights and obligations of all employees, Councillors and staff
introduce periodic refresher courses for existing staff, Councillors, and members about their rights and obligations under the Act
any members of Council with specific responsibilities and functions to handle and manage public interest disclosures under the Act, including the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator and people involved in welfare management
its complaint handling staff to ensure that any complaints received will be dealt with consistently and in accordance with the Act as required
any staff with functions and duties under the FOI Act or with responsibilities for information management, to ensure that no prohibited information is disclosed under the Act and to ensure there is appropriate liaising with the staff of the IBAC or other investigative agencies where required in response to a request for access under the FOI Act; and
all staff and employees dealing with customers to ensure any potential disclosures received from external sources can be handled appropriately in accordance with the Act and these procedures.
Collating and publishing statistics
Council is required to publish certain statistics about the Act in its annual reports. That information relates mainly to how these procedures may be accessed, and the number of disclosures notified to the IBAC for assessment under s 21 of the Act during the financial year.
The Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator will establish a secure register to record such information, and to generally keep account of the status of disclosures made under the Act.
The Act prohibits the inclusion of any details, in any report or recommendation, that is likely to lead to the identification of a whistleblower.
The Act also prohibits the identification of the person who is the subject of the disclosure in any particulars included in an annual report or any reports to Parliament.
Provide statistics related to Public Interest Disclosures for incorporation in Annual Report.
Provide training to Council employees.
Make readily available, internally and to members of the public Council’s process to receive and manage Public Interest Disclosures.
Fulfil legislative obligations of Public Interest Disclosure Officer including requirements regarding confidentiality.
The Act contains a number of offence provisions relating to unauthorised disclosure of information by either disclosures or persons who have received disclosures. The penalties for breaching the confidentiality required by the Act include imprisonment, financial payments or both.
The criminal offences set out in the Act relating to confidentiality include:
Divulging information obtained in connection or as a result of the handling or investigation of a public interest disclosure without legislative authority. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units, six months imprisonment, or both.
Disclosing that a disclosure has been notified to the IBAC for assessment under the Act. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units, six months imprisonment, or both.
Disclosing that a disclosure has been assessed by the IBAC or the VI to be a public interest disclosure complaint under the Act. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units, six months imprisonment, or both.
Protections for public officers
A public officer is given specific protections under the Act to provide information to other public officers or to the IBAC in dealing with a disclosure they have received. When a public officer acts in good faith and in accordance with the Act, Regulations and the IBAC’s Guidelines, the public officer does not commit an offence under laws imposing a duty to maintain confidentiality or restricting the disclosure of information.
Administrative amendments to reflect the changes resulting from the renaming of the Act to the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012.
Major Amendments: to reflect the application of the Protected Disclosures Act 2012
Minor Administrative changes
[2] It should be noted that some of the protections set out in the Act protecting a whistle-blower are available only to the person who makes a disclosure. The IBAC has pointed out that the consequence of this is, if a person makes a disclosure by ‘notifying’ the agency on behalf of another individual, then it is the ‘notifier’ who may receive those protections, and not the person on whose behalf they have made the disclosure. The person on whose behalf the disclosure has been made will only be entitled to protections against detrimental taken against them in reprisal for the disclosure made by the notifier.
[3] Although this may create difficulties in Council being able to communicate with the whistle-blower, and some of the notification requirements imposed on Council in relation to disclosures will not apply in relation to an anonymously made disclosure. In addition, it may impede Council’s ability to properly assess whether the complaint or allegation is a public interest disclosure for the purposes of the Act.
[4] This section of the procedures comprises a summary of points drawn from pp 15 to 16 of the IBAC’s Guidelines for Handling Public Interest Disclosures (https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/publications-and-resources/article/guidelines-for-making-and-handling-protected-disclosures), last accessed 30 January 2020). For further information, please refer to those Guidelines.
[5] Available at https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/publications-and-resources/article/guidelines-for-making-and-handling-protected-disclosures (last accessed 30 January 2020).