Investigation summaries

IBAC received information that a man had attempted to bribe a public official to secure multiple grave sites at a suburban Melbourne cemetery, over and above what the cemetery allowed and could accommodate. 

An IBAC investigation examined:

• the conduct of the individual at the centre of allegations
• the conduct of employees
• the adequacy of the cemetery’s processes and systems. 

The IBAC investigation was accompanied by a targeted internal audit by Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust of relevant gravesites and burial records.

Outcome

Following that investigation, IBAC brought charges against the person who allegedly attempted to bribe an employee of the cemetery trust. In December 2014, a Point Cook man was convicted of attempting to bribe a public official and was fined $10,000.

IBAC did not establish direct evidence of corruption by cemetery employees. However, we did establish issues with GMCT’s record keeping, staff training and internal policies. In response, GMCT took steps to improve its systems and processes (including replacing outdated manual systems), its policies and procedures, recruitment processes and ethics training.