Public Interest Disclosures

Formerly known as Protected Disclosures or Whistleblowers, Council recognises transparency and accountability in our practices and supports disclosures that reveal improper conduct. Find out when disclosures can be made, who can make them, and how.

Our role in Public Disclosures

Council is a public body subject to the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (“Act”). We recognise the value of transparency and accountability in our practices and support the disclosures that reveal improper conduct. We do not tolerate improper conduct by the organisation, our employees, officers, nor Councillors.  

The purpose of the Act is to facilitate the making of disclosures of improper conduct and detrimental action by public officers and public bodies. We provide protection for people who make a disclosure, or those who may suffer detrimental action in reprisal for making a disclosure. We ensure that information connected to a Public Interest Disclosure, including the person’s identity and disclosure information, are kept strictly confidential.

View our Public Interest Disclosures Policy.(PDF, 265KB)

What can disclosures be made about?

A disclosure may be made about 2 things under the Act:

  • improper conduct of public bodies or public officers; and
  • detrimental action taken by public bodies or public officers in reprisal against a person for making a disclosure.

The Act provides definitions about improper conduct and detrimental action. For more information about what those terms mean see the link below about Council’s “Public Interest Disclosure Procedures”.

You can find more information on the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission website (IBAC).

If Council believes a disclosure may be a Public Interest Disclosure made in accordance with the Act, it will notify the disclosure to IBAC for assessment. 

Who can make a disclosure?

  • Any individual (e.g. not an organisation or company) may make a disclosure under the Act. The individual could be a person within the organisation, or any member of the public externally. Individuals may also make a joint disclosure
  • Disclosures may be made anonymously, in writing, or orally. You need not identify the person or body about whom the disclosure is made in order to make a disclosure under the Act

How to make a disclosure

  • Download Council’s Public Interest Disclosure Procedures(PDF, 467KB) . This document contains detailed information about who can receive disclosures (e.g. Council, IBAC, and the Ombudsman) and how to make a disclosure to us or to those bodies
  • If you are not able to access an online copy or would like a copy sent to you, please contact our CEO or  Public Interest Disclosure Principal Officer

Confidentiality

We take our obligations under the Act seriously. This includes the requirement to protect the identity of the discloser and the matters disclosed. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial in ensuring reprisals are not made against a discloser. 

It is a criminal offence under the Act to disclose information connected with a disclosure made in accordance with the Act, including the discloser’s identity. Breaching confidentiality obligations include financial penalties and imprisonment.

For more Information

Council has appointed the Executive Manager Democratic Support and Corporate Governance as the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator to handle any enquiries. 

Call 5366 7100 or email governance@moorabool.vic.gov.au to obtain further information or to arrange a confidential meeting to discuss any matters of concern.

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