News

The VAU has recently received a letter from the Victorian Government regarding the establishment of a new committee to review the management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in investigations by IBAC and other agencies including the Victorian Information Commissioner, the Victorian Inspectorate, and the Victorian Ombudsman.

The Committee will be examining the following matters:

1. The experiences of witnesses and others involved in Victorian integrity agency investigations (including any matters relating to health, safety, wellbeing and reputation).
2. The legal framework bearing on integrity agencies’ management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in Victorian integrity agency investigations (including when and under what conditions public hearings are held, and the impact of confidentiality obligations on welfare).
3. The effectiveness of Victorian integrity agencies’ policies, procedures and information relating to the management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in agencies’ investigations.
4. The effectiveness of Victorian integrity agencies’ practices regarding management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in agencies’ investigations (including in-house welfare support throughout investigations).
5. The best practice principles for the management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in integrity agency investigations, and whether Victorian integrity agencies are meeting the standard of those best practice principles.
6. Overall, how Victorian integrity agencies’ management of the welfare of witnesses and others involved in agencies’ investigations might be improved.

Over the years the union has supported a number of members who have been involved in IBAC investigations and have experienced first-hand their aggressive approach including having members isolated from any personal support for an extended period of time.

This review was initiated after an individual who was being investigated committed suicide in January 2022.  If you wish to make a submission, please send your contribution through to [email protected] by close of business 4 April 2022.

In solidarity,