Public interest disclosures
The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria (VPRBV) encourages people to report corrupt or improper conduct about the VPRBV or its Board members, officers or employees. The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (PID Act) enables people to make a disclosure about corrupt or improper conduct by a public officer or a public body. The PID Act also enables people to make a disclosure about detrimental action taken by a public officer of body against a person in reprisal for reporting corrupt or improper conduct. The VPRBV is a public body for the purposes of the PID Act. Public interest disclosures should be made to the Independent Broad-Based Anti‑Corruption Commission (IBAC).
On this page
What is a public interest disclosure?
A public interest disclosure is a complaint of corrupt or improper conduct or detrimental action by a public officer or a public body.
“Improper or corrupt conduct” involves substantial mismanagement of public resources, risk to public health and safety or the environment, or corruption.
“Detrimental action” is action taken against a person in reprisal for making a public interest disclosure.
How do I make a public interest disclosure?
You can make a public interest disclosure about the VPRBV or its Board members, officers or employees by contacting the Victorian Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC):
- IBAC address: IBAC | Level 1, North Tower | 459 Collins Street | Melbourne VIC 3000
- IBAC postal address: IBAC | GPO Box 24234 | Melbourne VIC 3001
- IBAC telephone: 1300 735 135
- IBAC website: www.ibac.vic.gov.au
- IBAC email: go to www.ibac.vic.gov.au for a secure email disclosure process which also allows anonymous disclosure.
Protection of persons from detrimental action
The VPRBV has an obligation to create a safe working environment. The VPRBV recognises that it is essential for the effective implementation of the
Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 to protect the welfare of:
- persons making public interest disclosures, and
- persons who have cooperated or intend to cooperate with an investigation of a public interest disclosure.
The VPRBV will take precautions to prevent Board members or employees from taking detrimental action in reprisal for a public interest disclosure. Precautions include identifying, assessing, controlling and monitoring potential risks of reprisals faced by persons who make disclosures and witnesses.
Persons who experience an incident of harassment, discrimination or adverse treatment that may amount to detrimental action should report the incident directly to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission. If a VPRBV Board member, officer or employee receives a complaint about detrimental action, they must:
- record details of the incident
- advise the person to report it directly to IBAC
- notify the incident to IBAC themselves, and
- take steps to maintain the confidentiality of all parties.
A disclosure of detrimental action is itself a public interest disclosure and will be assessed by IBAC in accordance with its procedures.
Alternatives to making a public interest disclosure
The information on this page is a complement to other methods of submitting complaints to the VPRBV:
- Members of the public are encouraged to contact the VPRBV about any complaints or concerns they have with the services provided by the VPRBV. More information: Vetboard Victoria's Service Charter.
- The VPRBV's employees are encouraged to raise matters with their managers at any time.