Public Interest Disclosures

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012  (PID Act) allows people to report public employees or organisations for improper (or suspected improper) conduct, corruption or detrimental action without fear of reprisal.

The PID Act aims to ensure openness and accountability by encouraging people to make disclosures and protecting them when they do.

Individuals, not businesses, can make public interest disclosures.

The PID Act defines improper or corrupt conduct as:

  • Corrupt conduct and/or
  • any of the following conduct by a public officer or public body in their capacity as a public officer or public body:
    • criminal offence
    • serious professional misconduct
    • dishonest performance of public functions
    • intentional or reckless breach of public trust
    • an intentional or reckless misuse of information
    • an intentional or reckless misuse of information or material acquired in the course of the performance of public functions
    • a substantial mismanagement of public resources
    • a substantial risk to health or safety of a person
    • a substantial risk to the environment
    • conduct by a third party that adversely affects the honest performance of a public officer or public body or is intended to adversely affect effective performance of a public officer or public body while obtaining an advantage for the third party, and/or
    • conduct by a third party that could constitute a conspiracy or attempt to engage in any of the above.

Corrupt conduct includes:

  • taking or offering bribes
  • dishonestly using influence
  • committing fraud, theft or embezzlement
  • misusing information or material acquired at work
  • conspiring or attempting to engage in the above corrupt activity.

Our policy (PDF 175KB) (Word 236KB) supports public interest disclosures. You can report known or suspected improper conduct that involves the Heritage Council, its members/alternate members or officers.

How to make a disclosure

To make a disclosure about the Heritage Council, its members/alternate members or officers, you must call or write to:

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)

Level 1, North Tower
459 Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

GPO Box 24234
Melbourne Victoria 3001

IBAC Telephone: 1300 735 135

IBAC uses its complaint policy to deal with disclosures. You don’t have to reveal your name to IBAC.