Media Releases

"Victorians can be proud of the anti-corruption achievements of IBAC in its first five years, but there is no room for complacency," Mr Redlich said.

"The fact that there is an independent agency in Victoria, IBAC, which has a mandate to expose and prevent public sector corruption and police misconduct, does not diminish the responsibility of our public sector leaders to strongly model integrity and promote corruption resistant cultures within their agencies."

Mr Redlich said IBAC's independent oversight of Victoria Police was also an important role of the Commission.

"IBAC’s independent, external oversight is a critical mechanism to help ensure Victoria’s police officers act fairly, impartially and in accordance with the law."

"Independent oversight is also important to ensuring community confidence in police integrity and accountability."

"I have recently met with the IBAC Parliamentary Committee with respect to its current inquiry which in part concerns IBAC’s powers to independently oversight and investigate more complaints of police misconduct. I am looking forward to further engagement with the Committee, which is expected to report in the middle of the year," Mr Redlich said.

Mr Redlich paid tribute to the foundation Commissioner, Stephen O’Bryan QC, who completed his non-renewable term last year, noting IBAC’s recent report on its first five years’ operation is a testament to the hard work of the foundation Commissioner and the IBAC team.

"Since commencing at IBAC in January, I have been impressed by the structure of the organisation and its capacity to expose and prevent public sector corruption and police misconduct."

"Major cases of serious corruption have been exposed in some state and local government agencies, as well as serious police misconduct, and an impressive body of corruption prevention work has been undertaken."

"There is a commitment at IBAC to continuous improvement and I am looking forward to IBAC building on the solid foundations that have been established," Mr Redlich said.

A special report on IBAC’s first five years, outlines IBAC's key activities and achievements in its first five years include:

• assessing 18,869 allegations from the public and departments and agencies
• completing 55 investigations (five involving public examinations)
• publishing 39 public reports, including investigation and research reports
• making 93 recommendations to police and public sector agencies
• reviewing 383 police and public sector investigations
• delivering 321 corruption prevention initiatives.

Media contact

media@ibac.vic.gov.au  or 0427 480 840