| The Victorian State Government has introduced the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 which came into operation on 1 January 2002 and applies to all public bodies, including Box Hill Institute. The purpose of the Act is: - To encourage and facilitate disclosures of improper conduct by public officers and public bodies:
- To provide protection for:
- Persons who make disclosures; and
- Persons who may suffer in relation to these disclosures; and
- To provide for the matters disclosed to be properly investigates and dealt with.
Who can make a disclosure? A person who believes, on reasonable grounds, that Box Hill Institute, or an officer, staff member, or contractor of Box Hill Institute has engaged in, is engaging in or proposes to engage in corrupt or detrimental behaviour can make a disclosure. What can disclosures relate to? Disclosures must be about improper conduct by Box Hill Institute or officers, staff or contractors of the Institute. Improper conduct means: - Corrupt conduct (dishonesty, fraud, theft, breach of public trust, misuse of information or material acquired in the course of their performance, conspiracy or attempt to engage in any of the aforementioned); or
- A substantial mismanagement of public resources; or
- Conduct involving substantial risk to public health or safety; or
- Conduct involving substantial risk to the environment
That would if proved constitute: - A criminal offence; or
- Reasonable grounds for dismissal
A person who is contemplating making a disclosure must be convinced of the truth of their concerns, have reasonable grounds for believing that the alleged conduct has occurred, and will be required to substantiate any allegations. It is an offence for a person to knowingly provide false information under the Act with the intention that it is acted on as a disclosed matter. Form of disclosure A disclosure can be made orally or in writing. A disclosure can be made anonymously. Making a disclosure There are 3 available points of contact for making a disclosure: - Protected Disclosure Coordinator
- Protected Disclosure Officers
- The Victorian Ombudsman
Protected Disclosure Coordinator
Darrell Cain
Deputy CEO
Building 3, Elgar Campus,
465 Elgar Road,
Box Hill, Victoria 3128
Email: d.cain@bhtafe.edu.au
Direct Telephone Number: (03) 9286 9262
Mobile Number: 0401 999 798 Protected Disclosure Officer
Angela Hoare-Lippmann
General Manager, Teaching and Students
Building E2, G12
465 Elgar Rd, Box Hill
Email: a.lippmann@bhtafe.edu.au Protected Disclosure Officer
Jennifer Oliver
Executive Director, Learning & Academic Affairs
Elgar Campus, Building 8,
465 Elgar Rd, Box Hill.
Email: j.oliver@bhtafe.edu.au
Direct Telephone Number: (03) 9286 9294
Mobile Number: 0401 713 428 All correspondence should be marked "CONFIDENTIAL." All correspondence, phone calls and emails from internal or external whistleblowers will be referred to the Protected Disclosure Coordinator. The Ombudsman Victoria
Level 22, 459 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
(DX 210174)
Internet: http://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Email: ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Tel: (03) 9613 6222
Toll Free: 1800 806 314 Procedures for Handling Disclosures Regarding Officers, Employees or Contractors of Box Hill InstituteBox Hill Institute has developed procedures to assess and manage any disclosures received regarding officers, employees or contractors of the Institute. These procedures also provide for the protection of the whistleblower. These procedures must be provided to employees of the Institute and made available for inspection by the public. If you would like a copy of the procedures, you can request one by contacting: Protected Disclosure Co-Coordinator
Darrell Cain
Deputy CEO
Building 3, Elgar Campus,
465 Elgar Road,
Box Hill, Victoria 3128
Email: d.cain@bhtafe.edu.au
Direct Telephone Number: (03) 9286 9262
Mobile Number: 0401 999 798 |