The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has used its Annual Report to detail how it exposed corruption and supported the public sector to build corruption resistance.
IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said IBAC investigations delivered an important service to Victorians, as they highlighted systemic issues and vulnerabilities that, if unchecked, enabled corrupt conduct and police misconduct.
“Investigations not only expose serious corruption and police misconduct but they also educate the public sector, police and the community about the risks and impacts of such wrongdoing, and inform action to prevent it,” Commissioner Redlich said.
“IBAC’s annual report outlines IBAC’s performance for 2019/2020 which included starting 24 new investigations and preliminary inquiries, and holding public hearings into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey Council,” he said.
Commissioner Redlich said IBAC completed 67 reviews of investigations by other Agencies including reviews of 59 police investigations, a 31 per cent increase on the previous year.
“IBAC’s reviews of investigations we refer to other agencies are an important part of our independent oversight and education and prevention role,” he said.
“Through our reviews, IBAC advises Agencies on the adequacy of their investigations to ensure they are thorough and fair, that the findings are evidence-based and the outcomes reasonable and in accordance with public expectations.”
Commissioner Redlich said this year’s report included enhanced data and information on the public interest disclosure scheme, following changes to the legislation at the beginning of the year.
He said that over the past year IBAC received 2,419 complaints and notifications; assessed 5,955 allegations of suspected corruption or police misconduct; assessed 1,184 allegations considered as public interest and protected disclosures; made 46 formal recommendations for public sector Agencies to improve their systems, practices and controls; and delivered 75 corruption prevention initiatives.
The Commission’s 137-page annual report can be accessed at this PS News link.
