The Premier of Victoria

Elizabeth Proust has been appointed as a Special Commissioner to work with the Public Sector Standards Commissioner, Peter Allen to review the effectiveness of Victoria’s integrity and anti-corruption system.

Premier John Brumby said Victoria had a comprehensive network of oversight bodies that reviewed the quality and integrity of public administration.  

“As part of our commitment to an open, honest and accountable government, our systems are from time to time reviewed and refined to ensure they are performing effectively,” Mr Brumby said.

The Public Sector Standards Commissioner is appointed under the Public Administration Act 2004 to independently promote high standards of integrity and conduct in the Victorian public sector.

“Ms Proust has been appointed as a Special Commissioner to assist Public Sector Standards Commissioner Peter Allen conduct a review of the current arrangements in Victoria.

“The review will consider the powers, functions, coordination and capacity of Victoria’s integrity and anti-corruption system, including the Ombudsman, Auditor General, Office of Police Integrity, Victoria Police and the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate,” he said.

The review will provide a report by 31 May 2010.

Mr Brumby said the Government had reviewed, refined and introduced numerous enhancements to the powers and functions of Victoria’s integrity and anti corruption system.

These include:
•    Strengthening the role of independent officers holders such as the Ombudsman, Auditor General and Director of Public Prosecutions;
•     Establishing a regime to protect whistleblowers who make disclosures about public officials engaging in improper conduct;
•    Creating a framework to ensure good governance and ethical behaviour across the Victorian public sector;
•    Reforming Victoria’s Legislative Council to make it more representative;
•    Creating the Office of Police Integrity to create a corruption-resistant Victoria Police;
•    Establishing the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate to investigate alleged breaches of the Local Government Act.

“It is important to continue to review the performance and effectiveness of the system and make improvements if necessary,” Mr Brumby said.

Ms Proust has served as Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, as Chief Executive Officer of Melbourne City Council and is now a company director.