Welcome to the September edition of IBAC Insights. As the end of the year fast approaches, many will be aware, the end of my five-year term at IBAC is also very near. Despite this, the next few months will see a significant amount of work take place. In our last edition I mentioned we are working to publish several important reports, and the finalisation of a number of operations remains delayed because of ongoing litigation. The reports, when published, will each make recommendations as part of IBAC's prevention and education functions.

Prosecutions arising from IBAC investigations are an important mechanism for exposing public sector corruption and police misconduct. They highlight the impact and consequences for those involved, which can include jail terms, confiscation of assets, fines and community corrections orders. Shining a light on corruption and misconduct also helps public sector agencies and police strengthen practices to prevent it.

Every few years, IBAC surveys state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, business suppliers and the Victorian community to better understand perceptions of corruption and police misconduct at their workplaces, and more broadly. The surveys help IBAC to understand emerging issues, and to inform our prevention and education activities. The findings also help educate public sector agencies about possible gaps and opportunities to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities and enhance prevention and education activities.

By Linda Timothy, Executive Director of Prevention and Communication As the corruption risks facing the Victorian public sector evolve, it is critical for IBAC to continually reassess how we can best work with the public sector and the integrity system to address corruption risks and support public sector agencies to build strong capability to prevent corruption and misconduct.

A survey partnership between the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and The Australia National University (ANU) on the prevalence and perception of corruption in Victoria has revealed that nearly 50% of the 500 Victorians polled believed that corruption had increased over the last three years.

Raising public awareness of how to report corruption, and building the profile of IBAC were just some of the initiatives raised by Acting Commissioner Ron Bonighton in his key note address to the 18th Annual Public Sector Fraud & Corruption Conference today in Melbourne.

IBAC welcomes the appointment of Mr Andrew Kirkham AM, RFD, QC as Deputy Commissioner, IBAC.

The Independent Broad-Based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is working with public sector agencies and local government to protect people who report public mal-administration, misconduct and corruption.