Planning and Environment Taking it to VCAT – Planning and Environment List Booklet 23 February 2012 www.vcat.vic.gov.au Taking it to VCAT – RTL, Civil and CC (revised edition) 11 July 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au Transforming VCAT: Promoting Excellence Report Card (Dec 2011) 12 December 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au VCAT Style guide 31 August 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au VCAT Annual Report 15 September 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au VCAT Media Policy 21 October 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au VCAT School’s Kit 24 October 2011 www.vcat.vic.gov.au What’s New @ VCAT 23 February 2012 www.vcat.vic.gov.au Gaming and Racing Australian Teens and Poker: Gambling Prevalence, Influences and Implications October 2011 www.justice.vic.gov.au Conceptualisations of Gambling Risks and Benefits May 2012 www.justice.vic.gov.au Factors Affecting Youth Gambling December 2011 www.justice.vic.gov.au Problem Gambling in People Presenting to a Public Mental Health Service October 2011 www.justice.vic.gov.au Responsible Gambling December 2011 Available from the Office of Gaming and Racing.
Justice Services in the Hume Region brochure As required Wangaratta regional office Tel (02) 6043 7069 Justice Services in the Loddon Mallee Region brochure As required Bendigo regional office Tel (03) 5440 6126 Justice Services in the North West Metropolitan Region brochure As required Carlton regional office Tel (03) 9094 2485 Justice Services in the Southern Metropolitan Region brochure As required Dandenong regional office Tel (03) 8765 5100 Strategic Policy and Legislation Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) A Guide As required Available at Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and Justice Service Centres, community agencies and courts across Victoria. Also available online at www.reachingagreement.disputes.vic.gov.au. Appropriate Dispute Resolution Resources List As required Available at Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and Justice Service Centres, community agencies and courts across Victoria. Also available online at www.reachingagreement.disputes.vic.gov.au. Indigenous Land Use Agreement June 2012 Produced by the Native Title unit, these are available online at www.justice.vic.gov.au Land Use Activity Agreement June 2012 Produced by the Native Title Unit, these are available online at www.justice.vic.gov.au. Mediation: Your questions answered As required Available at Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and Justice Service Centres, community agencies and courts across Victoria. Also available online at www.reachingagreement.disputes.vic.gov.au. Reducing the Cost of Discovery Regulatory Change Measurement Report January 2012 www.justice.vic.gov.au Resolving Your Disputes: to go for help As required Available at Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria and Justice Service Centres, community agencies and courts across Victoria. Also available online at www.reachingagreement.disputes.vic.gov.au.
• siting of cameras for road safety outcomes • accuracy and reliability of the camera system • validity of infringements • public communications about the program. Effectiveness of Justice Strategies in Preventing and Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm Victorian Office To assess the effectiveness of the Department of Justice, Victoria Police and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation in preventing and reducing the impact of alcohol-related harm on the community. June 2012 Corrections, Health and Crime Prevention The of Mr Carl Williams at HM Barwon Prison - investigation into Corrections Victoria Victorian Ombudsman To conduct an independent administrative investigation on his own motion into Corrections Victoria’s management of Mr Williams in custody at Barwon Prison. April 2012 Investigation into prisoner access to health care Victorian Ombudsman The Victorian Ombudsman instigated an investigation of prisoner access to healthcare following a complaint. The investigation covered a range of themes including harm minimisation, mental health services, complaints processes August 2011
and oversight of healthcare. Review of the Victorian Adult Parole System Sentencing Advisory Council To review and report on the legislative and administrative framework governing the release and management of sentenced prisoners on parole in Victoria. To ensure the parole system best serves the Victorian community, including promoting public safety and reducing re-offending. March 2012 Courts and Tribunal Service Own motion investigation into ICT-enabled projects Victorian Ombudsman To investigate and examine 10 major projects in the Victorian public sector focussing on planning, governance, project management and procurement. November 2011 Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry Hon Philip Cummins (Chair), Mr Bill Scales, Emeritus Professor Dorothy Scott To investigate systemic problems and make recommendations to strengthen protection and support of children and young people. February 2012 Gaming and Racing Process evaluation of the Gambler’s Help Venue Support Program MGN Consultancy To inform potential refinements and enhancements to the Venue Support Program through monitoring and analysis of program structure, implementation activities, engagement processes and outputs. May 2012
Evaluation of the Problem Gambling Communications Program University of Wollongong – Centre for Health Initiatives To assess the extent to which the communications program supports and addresses all three strategic approaches of the overarching Community Education Strategy – building community resilience, raising risk awareness and promoting treatment services. July 2012 Police and Emergency Management Obsolescence of Frontline ICT: Police and Schools Victorian Office To assess whether obsolescence of frontline ICT equipment and software is managed effectively and efficiently in the public sector throughout the technology lifecycle. June 2012 Regional and Executive Services Freedom of Information Victorian Office To examine the extent to all 11 Victorian public sector departments and Victoria Police meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and associated guidelines. April 2012 Government Advertising and Communications Victorian Office To assess: • whether there are appropriate levels of accountability in government advertising and communication expenditure/ processes • whether selected campaigns comply with relevant laws, guidelines and policies February 2012
and Corporate Credit Cards and reimbursed expenses for the departments of Business and Innovation, Services, Justice, Treasury and Finance and Premier and Cabinet, plus the Country Fire Authority and Tourism Victoria. Portfolio Departments and Associated Entities: Results of the 2010-11 Audits Victorian Office To review the outcomes and observations from the external financial audit of 212 entities. November 2011 Report on the Annual Financial Report of the State of Victoria, 2010-11 Victorian Office To ensure Parliament can have confidence in the Annual Financial Report of the prepared for 2010–11. November 2011 f) Details of any major research and development activities undertaken by the entity. Research and Development Conducted by Purpose Community Operations and Strategy Evaluation of Aboriginal Justice Agreement – 2 The Nous An independent outcomes evaluation of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement – Phase 2 (AJA2). The evaluation focused on changes in justice outcomes for the Koori community over the five years since the commencement of AJA2, both in terms of overrepresentation in the justice system, and the six program objectives of AJA2.
to develop a framework for managing an ageing prison population. Pathways for accessing mental healthcare in men’s prisons Monash University Justice Health provided funding to the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science to identify the pathways that exist for male prisoners accessing mental healthcare. Parents Entering Prison Monash University Corrections Victoria is a project partner to assess the impact of imprisonment on children’s care. Gaming and Racing Problem gambling in people presenting to a public mental health service Department of Psychiatry at the Alfred Hospital This report outlined the background, project aims, context and results of a research project examining the incidence and nature of gambling in people presenting to a public mental health service. Australian teens and poker: Gambling prevalence, influences and implications Bond University This research investigated gambling prevalence and poke gambling among Victorian teenagers based on an online survey of 2000 respondents. It reported on teenagers’ motivations, role of impulsivity and sensation seeking,
age, and gender on problem gambling risk and poker gambling activities. Conceptualisations of gambling risks and benefits: A socio-cultural study of 100 Victorian gamblers Monash University The gambling industry has diversified its gambling products so that it can target and engage many different sectors of the community and increasingly broaden its player base. This highlighted the complex ways in which different individuals interpret and respond to the marketing strategies of the gambling industry. impacts of access to electronic gaming machines in Victoria: Effects on demand and communities Queensland University of Technology This study investigated the community level impact of electronic gaming machines and, in particular, examined the effect on communities that may be considered disadvantaged through their particular mix of socioeconomic indicators. Factors affecting gambling: A comprehensive model of the antecedents and consequences of gambling in younger people University of Melbourne This study examined a comprehensive model of youth gambling using the data obtained from two samples. The first involved a comprehensive survey of 370 university student
Executive Director, Community Operations and Strategy New Zealand To examine the New Zealand (NZ) system, particularly in relation to disaster response and planning and integrated ‘whole of government’ service delivery, to identify key lessons for Victoria. A close assessment of NZ’s approach to integrated service delivery post the Christchurch earthquakes. Key lessons from the assessment are being considered in the Victorian context to bolster the work of the Better Services Implementation Taskforce and the department’s red tape reduction program. Courts and Tribunal Services Manager, Family Violence Programs and Initiatives unit New Zealand To examine the New Zealand (NZ) system to identify practices or lessons that could be adopted in Victoria to help address demand pressures within the family violence jurisdiction. A briefing was provided to the Executive Director, Courts and the Magistrates’ Court Executive Group. This led to a subsequent visit by an expanded group from within the Magistrates’ Court and Courts and Tribunals Unit. Manager, Specialist Courts and Court Support Services New Zealand To assess the New Zealand (NZ) system’s (court/ legislative) response to family violence and the NZ District Court’s management of criminal and protection proceedings arising from family violence. A close assessment of the practice, procedure and legislation of NZ and that jurisdiction’s approach to managing family violence proceedings. The visit will inform systems reform for Victoria as the courts and government consider ways to address rising demand in this area. Program Manager, Drug Court of Victoria New Zealand To further develop the link between Victoria and New Zealand Drug Courts and to consolidate lessons from drug court experts from across the world. Knowledge of drugs court operations was shared and gained. This knowledge will be used to improve the management of the Drug Court of Victoria. 2 x Clinical Advisors, Assessment and Referral Court List New Zealand To attend the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL) and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrist’s (Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry) joint conference titled “Crime and Punishment the Rising Punitiveness” Information was shared between the attendees and international experts at the conference. This information was brought back and shared with staff from the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. Strategic Policy and Legislation Assistant Director, Criminal Law Policy New Zealand To assess the New Zealand (NZ) system’s (court/ legislative) response to family violence and the NZ District Court’s management of criminal and protection A close assessment of the practice, procedure and legislation of NZ and that jurisdiction’s approach to managing family violence proceedings. The visit will inform systems reform for Victoria as the departmental
protect themselves from common scams. Courts and Tribunal Services Community awareness County Court Judge presented to tertiary and secondary students. Nil Community awareness County Court Judge oversaw university law student moots and law seminars. Nil Law Week 2012 Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) members and staff hosted a number of community events in metropolitan and regional centres, including a twilight opening at 55 King St, Melbourne. All events hosted at VCAT or community buildings. Nil Guardianship list held a “The Next Steps: Forum for Families” on 14 November 2011. The event was planned and co-ordinated by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal lead committee Nil, partnership with VLA who provided the venue free of charge.
‘Parents of Children with a decision making disability’ in partnership with Victoria Legal Aid (VLA). Two free legal panel discussions were held for parents and legal guardians of persons with impairments. The event’s purpose was to provide information about what options are available to assist parents and legal guardians to look after the financial and lifestyle needs of their children. a School Program The program aims to educate secondary school students about the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The students learn about their rights and obligations as consumers, and VCAT $14,000 (finding obtained through an Innovation Fund grant).
Problem gambling An ongoing community information campaign targeting problem gamblers, friends and family of problem gamblers, at risk gamblers and the promotion of responsible gambling practices and the services provided through the Gambler’s Helpline and Gambling Help Online. $4.9 million (excluding GST) Police and Emergency Management Play it Safe by the Water The campaign has been running for more than 13 and reminds Victorians of the dangers posed by water. This is achieved through a number of water participation programs and projects along with annual community education activities. $1 million Regional and Executive Services Royal Melbourne Show 2011 The department exhibited in the $100,000
Implementation throughout regional areas will commence in early 2013. The group is operating in line with expectations. Family Division Sexual Abuse Consultative Committee The committee advises on ways to best manage sexual abuse related child protection cases in the Children’s Court. The committee’s work is ongoing. The committee is operating in line with expectations. Parents of children with a decision making disability The committee was formed by former President Justice Iain Ross, as a result of Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) consultations with the Victorian community and disability service providers and support services. The VCAT lead committee comprised representatives from: • VCAT • Victoria Legal Aid • Office of the Public Advocate • Association for Children with a Disability • Department of Human Services • State Trustees Limited • Villamanta • PILCH • Carers Victoria • Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability.
• the effectiveness of Responsible Gambling of Conduct • the appropriateness of responsible service of gambling measures for the sale of lottery products • the effectiveness of self-exclusion programs and options to improve mechanisms for consumers • public interest tests and community consultation for proposals that could result in a significant expansion of access of gambling • gaming products including moneyless gaming machines and machines deemed to be gaming machines under an order made in 1992 • pre-commitment. The council is operating in line with expectations. Police and Emergency Management Emergency Services Heads of Agency Committee (ESHoAC) The committee is the peak body representing all of Victoria’s Public Safety Organisations (PSO), and government departments engaged in the provision of emergency services. It