IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott says the investigation identified weaknesses in MFB information and data security practices and policies that were ongoing. Photo: IBAC.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has tabled a special report identifying a problematic workplace culture at the then-Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) that led to repeated instances where employees misused sensitive information to advance personal and industrial interests.
It has now made four recommendations to address what it says are “long-standing and systemic corruption risks” to improve workplace culture and information security.
IBAC’s Operation Turton investigated allegations of unauthorised access and disclosure of information by MFB employees. The investigation was prompted by allegations that an MFB network administrator had accessed the email accounts of MFB executives without authorisation. It started in January 2019.
IBAC found the incidents were largely driven by a desire to further the interests of the Victorian branch of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) or its secretary, Peter Marshall. These incidents were facilitated by a workplace culture whereby employees did not trust management and did not believe them to be acting in the best interests of the organisation or its employees.
Specifically, IBAC identified five separate instances where MFB staff, now employed by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV), accessed or disclosed information without authorisation.
The employees’ actions included accessing the email accounts of MFB executives and sharing MFB information directly with the Victorian branch of the UFU without permission.
IBAC’s probe found this led to privacy breaches and compromised internal investigations, and prevented MFB from operating effectively.
IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott said the investigation identified weaknesses in MFB information and data security practices and policies that were ongoing.
“The investigation identified key risks at the MFB, including workplace culture issues, restrictive industrial relationships requirements, information security weaknesses and a lack of policy and training for information sharing,” she said.
“While union representation is a fundamental right of employees, IBAC found the UFU’s influence over the day-to-day operation and decision making of MFB presented challenges and often hindered the effective administration of the organisation.”
IBAC has made four recommendations to FRV to address long-standing and systemic corruption risks to improve workplace culture and information security.
The first recommendation is for FRV to develop clear policies and procedures regarding matters that may be the subject of consultation with employees and their representatives, and in what circumstances FRV information may be disclosed to employees and their representatives to inform that consultation.
Other recommendations include addressing information and communication technology security risks, reviewing internal complaint processes and promoting a speak-up culture.
“Operation Turton highlights the crucial importance of developing a healthy workplace culture to deter corruption and misconduct,” Commissioner Elliott said.
“We hope that FRV will continue to engage with its workforce to enhance its information and communication technology systems and processes, addressing the structural and cultural issues identified in Operation Turton.”
IBAC has requested that FRV provide a progress report on the action taken in response to the four recommendations in six months and a full report on its outcome within a year.
