Our jurisdictional remit and powers are established by the Integrity Oversight Victoria Act 2011 and 18 other Acts of Parliament. Under those Acts, we:
- receive, assess and handle complaints(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)
- conduct investigations and inquiries (opens in a new window)(opens in a new window)
- monitor the exercise of significant powers
- conduct inspections(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) of records.
In addition, we assess public interest disclosures(opens in a new window)(opens in a new window) and investigate public interest complaints that fall within our jurisdiction.
Because of the secrecy provisions under which we operate, much of what we do is not obvious to the general public. However, as well as an annual plan and an annual report each year, we publish various reports including reports on the use of controlled operations and surveillance devices by other integrity bodies, reports on the exercise of counter-terrorism powers by Victoria Police, reports on various monitoring projects we carry out, and occasional special reports on investigations or reviews conducted by us.
The following table outlines our jurisdiction and functions for each integrity body that we oversee.
| Integrity body | IOV jurisdiction and function(s) |
| Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) | Receive and assess complaints about its conduct and the conduct of its officers Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of policies and procedures Monitor compliance with the IBAC Act and other related laws Review PID procedures Oversee performance of its PID Act functions Receive and assess PIDS Investigate PICs Monitor interaction between it and other integrity bodies Inspect its records on telephone interception, use of surveillance devices and controlled operations |
| Victorian Ombudsman (VO) | Receive and assess complaints about some conduct of its officers Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Monitor compliance with procedural fairness Review PID procedures |
| Office of Chief Examiner (OCE) | Receive and assess complaints about some conduct of the Chief Examiner or Examiners Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Assess the effectiveness and appropriateness of policies and procedures Monitor compliance with Major Crime (IP) Act |
| Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission (PWSIC) | Receive and assess complaints about its conduct and the conduct of its officers Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Monitor compliance with procedural fairness |
| Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) | Receive and assess complaints about some conduct of its officers Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Monitor compliance with procedural fairness |
| Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) | Receive and assess complaints about some conduct of its officers Investigate conduct Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Monitor compliance with ss.30–37, 39, 43–46, 50(1) and 51 of the Audit Act |
| Judicial Commission of Victoria (JCV) | Monitor the exercise of coercive powers Review PID procedures |
| Victoria Police (VicPol) | Monitor compliance with Major Crime (IP) Act Inspect its records on telecommunications interception, use of surveillance devices and controlled operations Inspect its records on use of counterterrorism powers |
| Public Interest Monitor (PIM) | Receive and assess PIDs Investigate PICs Inspect records relating to order/warrant applications |
| Game Management Authority (GMA) | Inspect its records on use of surveillance devices and controlled operations |
| Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) | Inspect its records on use of surveillance devices and controlled operations |
| Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) | Inspect its records on use of surveillance devices and controlled operations |
| Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) | Inspect its records on use of surveillance devices |
Recommendations to relevant Victorian bodies
We can make recommendations in relation to any action, including to:
- prevent an issue from continuing or occurring in the future
- remedy any harm or loss arising from their conduct
We can recommend that action be taken by the following bodies:
- Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission
- Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
- Victorian Ombudsman
- Chief Examiner
- Victorian Information Commissioner
- Public Interest Monitor
- Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission.
We can ask these bodies for a written report in response to the recommendation(s).
We can make recommendations to the Chief Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and certain other bodies about further investigation or enforcement action.
We can also make recommendations to the minister about a public interest complaint that relates to the Principal PIM.
We can make recommendations to the Judicial Commission of Victoria relating to guidelines and request a report in response to the recommendations.
Updated