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Public interest disclosures

Public interest disclosures for Yarra City Council. How do I make a disclosure? What is considered improper conduct? Can I remain anonymous?

As a public body, Yarra City Council is subject to the Public Interests Disclosures Act 2012.

The purpose of the Act is to:

  • encourage and facilitate disclosures of improper conduct by public officers, public bodies and others
  • provide certain protections for people who make disclosures
  • ensure disclosures are properly assessed and, where necessary, investigated
  • provide for certain information to be kept confidential including the identity of the person making the disclosure and the details of the disclosure

Yarra City Council 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.

Improper conduct could include:

  • corrupt conduct
  • conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources
  • conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment

Disclosures must be made to an organisation that is authorised to receive them in accordance with the process set out in the Public Interest Disclosures Procedure (PDF 232KB) [ PDF, 232.01 KB] .

To ensure protections are available to you under the legislation, please read the policy before making a disclosure.

Disclosures about Yarra City Council can be made to any of the following:

Disclosures about Councillors cannot be made to the Council.

These can be made to any of the following:

Disclosures about Council employees can be made to any of the following:

You can may make a disclosure verbally (in person, by phone or by leaving a voice mail message) or in writing (delivered in person, mailed, emailed or by completing a form available on the IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman websites). A disclosure cannot be made by fax.

Disclosures can be anonymous.

Anyone can make a disclosure about improper conduct or detrimental action. Disclosures can be made by individuals or a group of people.

A company or business cannot make a disclosure - but its officers or employees can.

Detrimental action is the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose improper conduct. Detrimental action can include:

  • actions causing injury, loss or damage
  • intimidation or harassment
  • discrimination, disadvantage or adverse treatment in relation to a person's employment, career, profession, trade or business, including the taking of disciplinary action

Threatening or inciting someone else is also considered detrimental action.

Disclosures made to Yarra City Council can be made to any of the following:

  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator
  • Manager or supervisor of the discloser
  • Manager or supervisor of the person who is the subject of the disclosure

Following a disclosure to Yarra City Council, the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator will be the main contact point within Council.