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Public sector CEOs, managers and senior staff from local councils and state government agencies in Traralgon and surrounding areas attended.

The forum was opened by Gary Van Driel, CEO of Latrobe City Council. Other presenters included IBAC CEO Alistair Maclean, Deputy Ombudsman Megan Philpot, Chief Municipal Inspector, David Wolf, Assistant Auditor-General Bill Gilhooly, and Gabrielle Levine, Executive Director for the Gippsland region from the Department of Justice and Regulation.

IBAC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alistair Maclean, said the forum highlighted how the Victorian public sector can strengthen integrity and build corruption resilience.

"No agency is immune from corruption risks, and Victorians rightly expect public funds to be used responsibly and honestly to deliver public sector services." Mr Maclean said.

"Corruption is not a victimless crime, it hurts us all. It wastes our taxes and rates that should be used to operate and maintain Victoria's schools, hospitals, roads and other vital public services and projects," Mr Maclean said.

The forum included a particular focus on corruption risks, and the integrity challenges faced by public servants in rural and regional areas.

"Today's forum is an important opportunity for public sector leaders in Gippsland to come together and share insights and practical approaches on how to prevent corruption in their organisations," Mr Maclean said.

"Under Victorian legislation, heads of government departments, agencies and councils must report suspected corrupt conduct to IBAC. This is a significant responsibility and highlights the importance of public sector leaders strongly modelling integrity and promoting corruption resistant cultures within their agencies," Mr McLean said.

Mr Maclean said anyone with credible information about public sector corruption is encouraged to report it to IBAC via the website www.ibac.vic.gov.au or by calling 1300 735 135.

"Corruption not only robs the community of vital frontline public services but also erodes the community's confidence and trust in the public sector. It's up to all of us to speak up when something is not right, and report any suspected wrongdoing," he said.

IBAC, the State's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, is responsible for exposing and preventing public sector corruption and police misconduct.

Media contact: media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840

Media outlets please note: for legal and operations reasons, IBAC is unable to comment on current investigations.