What is a whistleblower?
A whistleblower is a person who discloses improper conduct by public officers and public bodies.
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What is the Whistleblowers Protection Act?
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 provides protection to whistleblowers and establishes a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and rectifying action to be taken.
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How does the City of Port Phillip treat whistleblowers?
The City of Port Phillip does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees, officers or members, nor the taking of reprisals against those who come forward to disclose such conduct.
Employees and members of the public are encouraged to report known or suspected incidences of improper conduct or detrimental action.
The City of Port Phillip will take all reasonable steps to protect people who make disclosures from any detrimental action in reprisal for making the disclosure.
The City of Port Phillip will also afford natural justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure.
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How are whistleblowers protected?
All correspondence, phone calls and emails from whistleblowers are referred to the protected disclosure coordinator.
The protected disclosure coordinator is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action. They will also appoint a welfare manager to all whistleblowers who have made a protected disclosure.
If you are concerned about approaching the protected disclosure coordinator in the workplace, you may request a meeting in a discreet location away from the workplace.
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What if I want to “blow the whistle”?
Disclosures may be made by employees or by members of the public.
Disclosures may be made in writing or orally, and may be done so anonymously.
Disclosures may relate to improper conduct or detrimental action by:
- the organisation
- employees of the city of Port Phillip
- councillors while acting in their official capacity
The City of Port Phillip can only address disclosures that relate to Port Phillip. Disclosures about councillors must be addressed by the ombudsman.
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Who do I contact?
Contacts at the City of Port Phillip
Disclosures should be made to the protected disclosures coordinator:
Sally Calder, Executive Director Organisation Systems and Support
Location: Level 1, 232 Carlisle Street, East St Kilda VIC 3184
Address: City of Port Phillip, Private Bag No 3, St Kilda VIC 3182
Email: scalder@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Direct phone: (03) 9209 6313 (Sally Calder)
Alternative contact people
Disclosures may also be made directly to the ombudsman:
Mr George Brouwer
Address: The Ombudsman Victoria, Level 22, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000
DX: DX 210174
Internet: www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Email: ombudvic@ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9613 6222
Toll Free (in Australia): 1800 806 314
All disclosures about councillors should be directed to the ombudsman.
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What happens next?
Once it is determined that the complaint is a whistleblowers disclosure, the City of Port Phillip will investigate the matter. The whistleblower will be kept informed of action taken in relation to his or her disclosure, and the time frames that apply.
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Alternatives to whistleblowing
These procedures are designed to complement normal methods of submitting complaints to the City of Port Phillip and existing communication channels between supervisors and employees.
Members of the public are encouraged to contact ASSIST with any complaints or concerns about council or council employees.
Employees are encouraged to raise matters at any time with their supervisors.
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More information
The  City of Port Phillip Whistleblowers Act 2001 Procedures Manual provides a full explanation of how the City of Port Phillip will respond to a whistleblowers disclosure. It also defines improper conduct, corrupt conduct and detrimental action, and outlines the different roles of the various people involved in dealing with a whistleblowers disclosure.
If you wish to make a whistleblowers disclosure, contact the protected disclosure coordinator.
For more general information, contact the council's ASSIST Centre on (03) 9209 6777.
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