Public interest disclosure

Council is committed to supporting those who speak up against serious improper conduct under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (PID). We do not tolerate improper conduct or hurtful actions by the City of Kingston or its employees. 

We have a responsibility under the PID to: 

  • investigate suspected wrongdoing, and 
  • take appropriate action.  

What is a disclosure?

You can make a complaint or voice your concern about improper conduct by an employee of council.

A disclosure may be made about the following actions under the PID:  

  • improper conduct of public bodies or public officers, and
  • harmful action taken by public bodies or public officers in reprisal against a person for the making of a public interest disclosure.  

A disclosure can relate to conduct or action that occurred in the past, is current or may happen in the future.

Who can make a disclosure?

Anyone can make a disclosure about improper conduct or detrimental action, verbally or in writing, without the fear of reprisal. A disclosure can be made by an individual or group of people who make a joint disclosure.

Council’s Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator and Public Interest Disclosure Officers can only receive disclosures that relate to an employee of Council.

Disclosures that relate to Councillors must be made directly to Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) - see ‘Contact’ below.

What is improper conduct?

Improper conduct relates to intentional or reckless actions and behaviours of a serious nature. 

Examples of conduct which may be the subject of a PID includes:  

  • corrupt conduct 
  • conduct that amounts to a criminal offence 
  • serious professional misconduct 
  • the dishonest performance of public function 
  • intentional or reckless misuse of public trust 
  • intentional or reckless misuse of information 
  • substantial mismanagement of public resources 
  • substantial risk to health or safety 
  • substantial risk to the environment. 

Action

Our Public Interest Disclosure Procedure is a process that helps us to take all reasonable steps to protect individuals or groups who make a disclosure from any detrimental action.

Within 28 days, the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator or Public Interest Disclosure Officer will advise the discloser if the matter was assessed as a Public Interest Disclosure.

The below flow chart outlines the steps taken by the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator in handling a disclosure:  

Receive

  • Acknowledge receipt
  • Secure information
  • Review disclosure and information provided

Assess

  • Conduct an assessment
  • Make discrete inquiries as necessary
  • Assess and implement welfare and support needs

Outcome

  • If assessed as a public interest disclosure, notify IBAC and advise discloser
  • If not assessed as a public interest disclosure, advise the discloser and consider alternate complaint handling

Contact

A disclosure must be made privately, and you can do so anonymously, verbally or in writing.

You can make a disclosure with one of our authorised officers: 

Kelly Shacklock
Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator
Ph. (03) 9581 4907

Or via email PID@kingston.vic.gov.au. 

You can also make a disclosure to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

Council procedure

Public Interest Disclosure Policy(PDF, 534KB)

IBAC guidelines 

IBAC guidelines for making and handling protected disclosures

IBAC guidelines for public interest disclosure

All disclosures about Councillors should be directed to the IBAC.  

IBAC online complaint form

IBAC Contact Details

GPO BOX 24234
Melbourne Victoria 3000 

www.ibac.vic.gov.au 

Ph. 1300 735 135 

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