Public Interest Disclosures
Maroondah City Council has a process in place to accept disclosures of improper conduct or detrimental action. Information is accepted under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 and protection, such as anonymity or protection from reprisals, is provided.
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 replaced the previous Protected Disclosure Act 2012 on 1 January 2020. The procedures for handling disclosures have been prepared in accordance with guidelines set out by the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).
The object of the Act is to:
- encourage and facilitate the disclosure of:
- improper conduct by public officers and public bodies
- detrimental action taken in reprisal for a person making a disclosure under this Act
- provide protection for:
- people who make those disclosures
- people who may suffer detrimental action in reprisal for those disclosures
- provide confidentiality of the content of the disclosure and the identity of people who make those disclosures
- provide confidentiality of all persons involved and cooperating with the disclosure investigation.
The act applies to Councillors and Council employees of Maroondah City Council.
Who can make a disclosure?
Anyone can make a disclosure if they have reasonable grounds to believe that improper conduct or detrimental action has occurred.
A complaint should clearly show or suggest improper conduct or detrimental action by a public officer:
- improper conduct must be either criminal conduct or conduct serious enough to result in a person’s dismissal
- detrimental action includes harassment or discrimination, or other adverse action taken against the discloser, in reprisal for having reported the alleged improper conduct
People seeking protection under the Act should carefully consider whether their complaint meets these basic thresholds before reporting.
Full definitions of improper conduct and detrimental action can be found in the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 Procedures.
Make a disclosure regarding Council employees
Disclosures regarding Maroondah employees should be made to Coordinator of Corporate Planning, Risk and Information. You can also make a disclosure directly to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC)
- Phone: 1300 88 22 33
- Email: PID@maroondah.vic.gov.au
This email is solely accessed by the Coordinator of Corporate Planning, Risk and Information
- Mail:
CONFIDENTIAL
Attention Coordinator of Corporate Planning, Risk and Information
Maroondah City Council
PO Box 156
Ringwood 3134
Make a disclosure regarding Maroondah Councillors
Disclosures regarding Maroondah Councillors should be made directly to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission:
What happens after a disclosure is made?
Once Maroondah City Council determines that the information disclosed is likely to constitute a Public Interest Complaint, Council will refer the matter to IBAC for review. IBAC will determine who will investigate the matter and may refer the disclosure back to Council depending on the nature of the complaint. Specific timeframes apply, and the discloser will be informed of actions taken throughout the process.
Alternatives to making a protected disclosure
These procedures are designed to complement normal complaint methods to Maroondah City Council.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact Council with any complaints or concerns they may have about Council or Council employees. See more about our general complaints process.
Public Interest Disclosures Act Procedures
For further information, please see the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 procedures:
Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 procedures(PDF, 898KB)
Public Interest Disclosures Act Policy
See the Public Interest Disclosures Act Policy