As the inaugural Chair Commissioner and CEO of the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission (PWSIC), I take pride in reflecting on our first six months focused on our role as a dedicated integrity agency for Victoria's Parliament. This Commission fills a gap in Victoria’s integrity system, with our unique role in enhancing accountability and fostering public trust in our democratic institutions.
In a modern democracy, the trust of the public in Parliament and confidence in elected representatives is paramount. Victorians expect their members of parliament to embody leadership, accountability, and integrity. With a statewide jurisdiction, we serve as an independent and impartial body responsible for managing allegations of parliamentary misconduct involving Victorian members of parliament, including ministers and parliamentary secretaries. Our goal is to uphold high standards of integrity and conduct, guided by the principles outlined in the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Act 2024 (Vic) and informed by the findings of ‘Operation Watts’ and the ‘Jenkins Report’. To that end, we have engaged with members, ministers, and committees, receiving a positive response and a genuine desire from the sector to enhance respect in parliamentary workplaces.
We have built a skilled and capable team, dedicated to fulfilling our responsibilities effectively. This expertise, coupled with our established role within the broader integrity system, allows us to ensure that the right agency addresses the right matters. Our framework provides anyone the option to report concerns confidentially and anonymously if preferred, mindful of the sensitivities involved with potential parliamentary misconduct. By clarifying our place in this system, we aim to build confidence among the public and stakeholders that concerns regarding parliamentary conduct and misconduct will be managed appropriately and professionally.
We are focussed on building confidence in our operations, making our Commission accessible, and ensuring our role is understood. Throughout the past six months, we have conducted engagement activities and consultations to raise awareness among our key audiences, including members of parliament and employees in parliamentary workplaces. Building on this foundation, we are now focusing on creating more detailed engagement activities for the upcoming year, which will include information sessions and comprehensive guidance and information packs. Our proactive guidance and education function will be a priority moving forward, particularly in collaboration with the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser (PIA).
We sincerely appreciate the thoughtful consideration of the Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Act 2024 (Vic) by all members of parliament, which has provided the legal and policy foundation for our work. We also acknowledge the invaluable support from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Parliamentary Services during the implementation of the Commission.
It is important to acknowledge and thank our additional Commissioner Natasha de Silva for her valuable input and expertise in the establishment of the Commission and ongoing consideration of our statutory remit.
At this six-month mark, it is too early to draw conclusive insights from our work. More data and evidence are needed, and we look forward to providing a comprehensive overview in next year’s annual report.
(signed)
David Wolf
Chair Commissioner
Updated