Premium Insights and analysis Victorian public servants like ‘scared rabbits’, says ombud Glass Editors' Picks Outgoing ombud Deborah Glass says public servants were terrified of speaking to her office for the landmark politicisation inquiry.
Watchdogs give Andrews hurry-up on corruption reforms September 14, 2023 By Callum Godde News Ombud Deborah Glass said there has not been “much signs of life” towards setting up a parliamentary ethics and corruption commission.
Victorian government organisation kept $121,000 in consultancy fees ‘under wraps’ August 9, 2023 By Anna Macdonald Community & Social A Victorian ombud report has revealed in addition to not declaring consultancy fees, the organisation had a ‘slush fund’ to keep payments off the books.
Victoria’s government agencies criticised for ‘record-keeping failures’ May 17, 2023 By Tom Ravlic Community & Social More than half of the reports from state and local government agencies analysed by the PROV had record-keeping issues.
Long-running IBAC probe finds public servants acted badly but were not corrupt April 19, 2023 By Tom Ravlic Community & Social Awarding of a $1.2 million training contract without competitive tender fell “short of Victorian public sector standards”, says IBAC.
Premium Insights and analysis Barilaro & Brown saga no public service recruitment ad September 20, 2022 By Julian Bajkowski Editors' Picks If the Amy Brown saga has taught senior public servants one thing, it’s that private sector ‘imports’ are often viewed as more than expendable than public servants who spend their whole careers in the bureaucracy.
Electorate staff: political campaigners or public servants? July 21, 2022 By Tom Ravlic Federal Claims that recommendations to restrict electorate staff from participating in campaigns to re-elect their employer will raise questions about where a new generation of political campaigners will come from.
Victorian parliament’s widespread ‘catalogue of unethical and inappropriate behaviour’ exposed July 20, 2022 By Melissa Coade News A joint report by the IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman has detailed allegations of serious corrupt conduct involving Victorian public officers.
EPA ex-CEO tells Vic ombud ‘lightning rod’ issues makes communication hard June 1, 2022 By Anna Macdonald Energy & Environment Victorian ombud criticises EPA for lack of community consultation over the disposal of contaminated spoil from the West Gate Tunnel Project.
Premium Insights and analysis Public service can be complex but integrity and community engagement will guide the way May 24, 2022 By Melissa Coade Community & Social Every top bureaucrat will need to find the right balance in their work when delivering a government agenda. It’s a messy and challenging tension.
Message for public servants itching to get politically engaged May 20, 2022 By Melissa Coade Community & Social With one more day of the federal election campaign to go, senior mandarins underscored how public sector staff can stay impartial but still add their voice to public political discourse.
Reforms needed for misuse of public resources, Vic integrity agencies say January 11, 2022 By Melissa Coade Community & Social The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Victorian Ombud are pushing for changes to improve parliamentary accountability in the state.
Victorian watchdog finds border permit system was ‘inhumane’ December 8, 2021 By Jackson Graham News Victoria’s border permit system was ‘unjust, even inhumane’, according to the state’s watchdog, who received hundreds of complaints.
Oversight committee recommends state’s watchdog improve workplace culture November 19, 2021 By Jackson Graham News A report into Victoria’s integrity agencies recommends IBAC review the state’s OHS strategies and that the Victorian ombud prioritise vulnerable communities.
Pandemic legislation amended but watchdog remains unsatisfied November 16, 2021 By Jackson Graham Health Victorian ombud Deborah Glass said she remains unsatisfied the proposed laws contain enough independent oversight.