Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has re-launched its ‘Speak up to stop it’ campaign reminding the State’s public sector employees about the risks of improper influence and the importance of speaking up to stop it.
Originally launched in 2022, the ‘Speak up to stop it’ campaign highlights that any public sector employee, elected or not, is at risk of being improperly influenced.
“It encourages public sector employees to speak up when they see or experience it and provides guidance on how to report it,” IBAC said.
It said it resulted from perceptions of corruption survey which was released in December 2022 showing that perceptions of public sector corruption were on the rise, with ‘improper influence’ still one of the key behaviours perceived to be at risk of occurring in the workplace.
Executive Director of IBAC Prevention and Communication, Linda Timothy said the survey results also indicated that public sector employees wanted more education around reporting corruption or misconduct.
“These results told us that we needed to get back out there and share our information and resources to help the public sector, including Agencies, Departments, schools, hospitals, and councils, educate their employees about the risks of improper influence and how to report it,” Dr Thomas said.
“Victorian public sector employees must make decisions that are in the best interest of the Victorian community – free from bias, collusion, and favouritism,” she said.
“However, this responsibility can be difficult if public sector employees are improperly influenced to make a decision through pressure, favours, gifts, or more subtly through the abuse of seniority or position.”
IBAC’s ‘Speak up to stop it’ campaign includes a variety of resources and materials for public sector bodies to share with workmates, friends, and the community.
It said the resources included videos, digital banners and social media resources.
“IBAC’s investigations have revealed that improper influence can come from a variety of sources, including colleagues, lobbyists and suppliers,” Dr Timothy said.
“Decision makers in local and State Government – at all levels – can be at risk of improper influence,” she said.
“This campaign will help to raise awareness and give people confidence that they will know what to do when they see or experience improper influence in their workplace,” she said.
An IBAC video aimed at telling more about access the campaign resources can be found at this PS News link.
