Whistleblower protection
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 is designed to protect people who come forward with a disclosure about improper conduct by public bodies or public sector employees.
DPI does not tolerate improper conduct by our employees, officers or members. Neither do we tolerate reprisals being taken against those who come forward to disclose such improper conduct.
We will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure.
Improper conduct
Improper conduct under the Act means:
- corrupt conduct
- a substantial mismanagement of public resources
- conduct involving substantial risk to public health or safety
- conduct involving substantial risk to the environment.
The Act requires that such conduct, if proved, would be a criminal offence and constitute reasonable grounds for dismissal.
Making a disclosure
A disclosure is an allegation or report of improper conduct. A disclosure may be made verbally or in writing, and may be made anonymously. If a disclosure is made anonymously, it is important that it includes sufficient details and evidence to enable the matter to be investigated.
Disclosures of improper conduct by our department, or by our employees, may be made to our department's Protected Disclosure Coordinator or the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman has a central role in handling disclosures of improper conduct made under the Act and has established guidelines to assist in the interpretation and compliance with the Act. The guidelines are available on the Ombudsman’s website.
Please refer to the below links to the DPI Whistleblowers Policy, Procedure and Guidelines, which provide a system for reporting and managing disclosures made pursuant to the Act.
Further information
Protected Disclosure Coordinator
Department of Primary Industries
1 Spring Street (GPO Box 4440)
Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: (03) 9658 4012
The Ombudsman Victoria
Level 9, 459 Collins Street (North Tower)
Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: (03) 9613 6222
Toll free: 1800 806 314
For additional information about the Act visit the Department of Justice.
