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Perceptions of corruption 2023

29/08/2023

IBAC periodically conducts surveys to understand perceptions about corruption and police misconduct in Victoria. In 2023, IBAC conducted online surveys with Councillors and Members of Parliament (MPs) for the first time.

Survey findings inform IBAC’s prevention and education activities as part of our Corruption Prevention Strategy 2021-24. The findings also help public sector agencies identify gaps and opportunities to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities, as well as enhance their prevention and education efforts.

Concerns about corruption and misconduct can undermine trust in Victoria’s public sector and police. Reporting of suspected corruption or police misconduct also depends on people’s awareness of these problems, how to report, and confidence they’ll be taken seriously and protected.

  • This research builds on an overarching suite of research undertaken by IBAC to understand perceptions of corruption and police misconduct in the public sector among different target audiences.

    In 2023, for the first time, research was undertaken to explore perceptions among elected officials which included Councillors and Members of Parliament (MPs). The surveys build upon the perceptions of corruption surveys undertaken by IBAC in 2022 with state and local government employees, Victoria Police employees, business suppliers and the Victorian community.

    The surveys explored:

    • perceptions of IBAC
    • perceived prevalence of corruption among elected officials
    • understanding of the likelihood or risk of improper behaviours occurring that are corrupt
    • the likelihood to report corruption, if observed, and to who.

    All Councillors and MPs were invited to participate in the survey, noting that councils where Administrators were in place were excluded from the research. Overall, in 2023, 131 Councillors and 28 MPs completed a survey. This represented a response rate of just over 20 per cent respectively of all Councillors (21%) and MPs (22%). 

  • The surveys were voluntary. It is not possible to drill down to specific findings for any particular council or political party as this detail was not recorded to protect anonymity and promote participation amongst respondents.

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