Public interest disclosure procedures

If you have good reason to believe that a councillor or officer intends to or has engaged in improper conduct, we encourage you to speak up.

As required by the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012, we have established procedures for handling disclosures(PDF, 1MB). The Act requires that disclosures are properly investigated, and that the people who make them are protected from reprisals.

Examples improper conduct include:

  • an officer taking a bribe to grant a permit
  • an officer ignoring or concealing evidence of an illegal activity being conducted in the municipality
  • a Council officer selling or revealing confidential information to enable someone to gain advantage such as information about a tender
  • a substantial mismanagement of public resources
  • a substantial risk to public health or safety
  • a substantial risk to the environment.

The conduct must be serious enough to constitute a criminal offence or reasonable grounds for dismissal.

Making a disclosure

We can only address disclosures that relate to Banyule Council.

Who to contact

If you want to make a disclosure about a Council staff member you can talk to our:

  • CEO
  • Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator: Krysten Forte
  • Public Interest Disclosure Officer: Linda Chapple
  • Manager or supervisor if you are a Banyule staff member
  • Manager or supervisor of the person who is the subject of the disclosure.

Public interest disclosures about councillors of Banyule Council can only be made to IBAC or the Ombudsman.

Disclosing to the IBAC

You can make a disclosure by:

  • completing the IBAC secure online form
  • download a complaint form from IBAC and return by email, fax or post, or
  • telephone IBAC on 1300 735 135 to request a form be sent to you.

Disclosing to the Ombudsman

The Ombudsman's office requires that you contact them first to discuss your disclosure, to determine if the disclosure should be made directly to them or to the IBAC. Call 1800 806 314.

How to make a disclosure to Council

You can make a disclosure to our officers:

  • verbally
  • in writing
  • electronically
  • anonymously

To find out more about our Public Interest Disclosures procedures(PDF, 1MB), or to arrange a confidential meeting, call:

Krysten Forte
Manager Governance and Integrity
8673 4375

Linda Chapple
Coordinator Governance and Integrity
9490 4275

Mail: Confidential and Private, Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator, PO Box 94 Greensborough VIC 3088

Our response to disclosures

People who report improper conduct and corruption can do so in the knowledge that they will be protected. Protections include keeping the identity of the person reporting improper conduct confidential and protecting them from reprisals including bullying, harassment or legal action.

Council's normal complaint management process should be used for all other complaints.

Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012

The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 enables people to make disclosures about improper conduct within the public sector without fear of reprisal. The Act aims to ensure openness and accountability by encouraging people to make disclosures and protecting them when they do so.

Go to AustLii: Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012

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