A new public inquiry launched by the Integrity and Oversight Committee is seeking to examine how Victoria's integrity agencies combat the impacts of corruption and misconduct in the state's public sector.

Under the terms of reference for the inquiry, the Committee is investigating how Victoria’s integrity agencies work to educate the Victorian public sector and community about the consequences of corruption and misconduct, how risks can be reduced, and how the agencies can respond.

The Committee, which was established in 2019 under the Parliamentary Committees Act 2003, oversees and reviews the performance of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC), the Victorian Inspectorate (VI) and the Victorian Ombudsman (VO).

“These agencies all have a role to play in helping Victoria’s public sector prevent, or identify and address, corruption and other misconduct,” Committee Chair Steve McGhie said. “Education and prevention, he added, “are key to reducing corruption and other wrongdoing.”

In considering the issues of the inquiry, the Committee will also investigate interstate and international best practice approaches.

“We will be considering what improvements can be made to strengthen our integrity agencies in using their educative role to help prevent misconduct and corruption,” Mr McGhie said. “The Committee is keen to hear from organisations and individuals with expertise, views and suggestions to share in relation to the inquiry’s terms of reference.”

Terms of Reference

(1) The Victorian legislative framework with regard to the education and prevention functions of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC), the Victorian Inspectorate (VI) and the Victorian Ombudsman (VO).

(2) The current policies, practices and activities of IBAC, OVIC, the VI and the VO regarding the exercise of their education and prevention functions––including their application to the integrity agencies themselves, public sector bodies and the Victorian community.

(3) Best practice with respect to integrity agencies’ education about, and prevention of, corruption and other misconduct, drawing on interstate and international experience.

(4) Whether the exercise by IBAC, OVIC, the VI and the VO of their education and prevention functions throughout Victoria meets best practice.

(5) What improvements can be made to integrity agency education and prevention functions and their exercise by IBAC, OVIC, the VI and the VO.

The deadline for public submissions is 31 August 2020. Details on how to make a submission are available from the Committee’s website.

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A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria.

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Image used under license from Shutterstock