We have expertise in all facets of integrity and governance work for the public sector, including providing advice and litigation assistance to government departments and statutory bodies in relation to the application of the:
- Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012
- Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011
- Ombudsman Act 1973.
This work frequently involves expertise from multiple teams across the VGSO - drawing on practitioners with skills in complex matters of statutory interpretation, workplace relations, investigations and prosecutions, and the use of coercive powers.
Advice in relation to the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011
We provide advice to all government entities in relation to the statutory interpretation of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011.
This advice includes assisting agencies with the development and review of policies, guidelines and other materials to enable staff to understand their obligations in complying with the integrity regime.
We also frequently providing answers to specific questions about the statutory interpretation and application of the legislation to an integrity related matter an agency is dealing with, including whether or not a matter should be characterised as a public interest disclosure or a mandatory notification requiring referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
Our advice work also often involves assisting government agencies responding to IBAC initiated investigations or inquiries.
Advice in relation to the Ombudsman Act 1973
We provide advice in relation to the exercise of the Ombudsman's powers in relation to the conduct of inquiries and investigations. This frequently involves guiding clients through the process of responding to requests for documents and information from the Ombudsman.
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission proceedings
We represent government departments in both public and private inquiries conducted by IBAC. Having been involved in many significant hearings since IBAC's inception, we have an in-depth understanding of how to advise clients in relation to the appropriate strategy when a notification of an allegation against an agency has been made. We have extensive experience in preparing witnesses for attendance at an IBAC hearing, and also regularly assist agencies who have a need to monitor IBAC proceedings without necessarily being actively involved in a matter.
We also have extensive experience in assisting individual witnesses who are called to give evidence at a hearing in relation to a specific matter, but without ongoing involvement in the investigation.
Integrity Training
We also regularly conduct training in integrity related obligations. This often involves running seminars in relation to:
- the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012
- the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Act 2011
- public sector values more broadly, such as obligations under the Public Administration Act 2004.
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