Victorian Parliament Establishes Fresh Integrity Commission

Victoria is set to formalize the role of the existing Parliamentary Integrity Adviser and establish a new Parliamentary Ethics Committee to oversee the behavior of Members of Parliament, including bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and victimization.

An allocation of $11.9 million (US$7.9 million) from this year’s state budget will support the establishment and functioning of the Commission.

The Victorian Parliament introduced the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Bill, which outlines a process for receiving and investigating allegations of misconduct.

The Commission will have limited oversight, not extending to publicly-funded staff of MPs and ministers, as they are accountable to their respective employers. Instead, its focus will be on investigating inappropriate parliamentary workplace behavior.

The Commission’s jurisdiction will cover reports on the misuse of work-related parliamentary allowances and breaches of the requirements of the MP Register of Interests.

Even if a member resigns during an investigation, the Commission’s process will continue, and individuals can make complaints anonymously.

The parliamentary workplace will comprise any setting materially connected to it, including work-related travel, meetings in private premises, and online communications and conduct.

Limited to Events the Happened After It Was Formed

However, historical complaints cannot be investigated, only incidents occurring after the Commission’s establishment, and it does not have jurisdiction over matters covered by Parliamentary privilege.

The three-member committee will serve a maximum five-year term, and the Parliament’s Integrity and Oversight Committee will have veto power over proposed appointees.

The legislation aims to provide a safer and more respectful workplace environment for all individuals involved.

Aside from investigating inappropriate workplace behavior, the Commission will also play a broader role in handling misconduct allegations by MPs related to their elected role.

Dispute Resolution an Option for Less Serious Matters

The new Commission will support the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser by offering training to MPs and ministers on integrity matters, backing the new Parliamentary Ethics Committee, and providing guidance on the complaint process.

It will use dispute resolution to settle lower-level misconduct complaints and can refer findings to other bodies, such as Victoria Police, if necessary.

The Bill implements recommendations from various sources, including the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) and Victorian Ombudsman’s Operation Watts special report.

Operation Watts was initiated following allegations of “branch stacking” involving misuse of public funds by certain Labor MPs and the subsequent investigation by IBAC and the Victorian Ombudsman.

After delays due to investigations into inappropriate behavior by parliamentary secretary Darren Cheeseman, the Bill has been introduced to address these issues effectively.