Victorian Current Acts

PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES ACT 2012 - SECT 55

    (1)     The main functions of the IBAC under this Act are—

        (a)     to receive, whether directly or by notification from other entities, assessable disclosures; and

        (b)     to assess those disclosures; and

S. 55(1)(c) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(1).

        (c)     to determine whether those disclosures are public interest complaints.

S. 55(2) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(a).

    (2)     In addition, the IBAC has the following functions relating to the public interest disclosure scheme established under this Act—

        (a)     to issue guidelines for procedures—

S. 55(2)(a)(i) amended by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch.  1 item 28.34).

              (i)     to facilitate the making of disclosures in accordance with Part 2 (other than disclosures made to Integrity Oversight Victoria);

              (ii)     for the handling of those disclosures and, where appropriate, their notification to the IBAC;

              (iii)     for the protection of persons from detrimental action in contravention of section 45;

S. 55(2)(b) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(b).

        (b)     to issue guidelines for the management of the welfare of persons who make public interest disclosures or who are otherwise affected by public interest disclosures;

        (c)     to provide advice to the public sector on any matter included in the guidelines referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b);

S. 55(2)(d) amended by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch.  1 item 28.34).

        (d)     to review the procedures established by the public sector under Part 9, other than those established by Integrity Oversight Victoria and the Ombudsman, and the implementation of those procedures;

S. 55(2)(da) inserted by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(c).

        (da)     to promote the purposes of this Act;

S. 55(2)(e) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(d).

        (e)     to provide information and education about the public interest disclosure scheme;

S. 55(2)(f) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(d).

        (f)     to assist the public sector to increase its capacity to comply with the public interest disclosure scheme;

S. 55(2)(g) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(d).

        (g)     to provide information to, consult with and make recommendations to the public sector on matters relevant to the operation of the public interest disclosure scheme;

S. 55(2)(h) amended by No. 2/2019 s. 34(2)(d).

        (h)     to undertake research and collect, analyse and report on data and statistics relating to the public interest disclosure scheme;

              (i)     to report to Parliament at any time on matters arising from the performance of any of its research and education functions;

        (j)     to perform any other function conferred on the IBAC by or under this Act.

    (3)     The IBAC has power to do all things that are necessary or convenient to be done for, or in connection with, the performance of its functions under this Act.

S. 56 (Heading) amended by No. 31/2024 s. 113(Sch.  1 item 28.35).