Major infrastructure projects across state and local government will be a key focus for Victoria’s public sector corruption watchdog over the next 12 months.

IBAC’s Annual Plan for 2022/23, tabled on Tuesday, identifies six strategic areas of focus, which also include high-risk public sector agencies and improper influence by lobbyists, donors, government-aligned stakeholders and third-party facilitators.

High-risk police units, use of force on people at risk and police responses to family violence make up the list.

Major projects

Major infrastructure projects involve significant expenditure which can make them vulnerable to corruption, IBAC says.

“We will continue to build our understanding of the corruption risks of agencies that manage major projects funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.”

This will include undertaking operational assessments of major infrastructure projects to identify corruption risks and developing risk mitigation strategies for the public sector to implement.

The watchdog say it also aims to develop an engagement program with the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority.

Corruption-prone public sector agencies

IBAC says it will focus on agencies that hold high information or are responsible for high value investments, funding allocation and outsourcing of public services.

This will include a strategic assessment of corruption vulnerabilities within water authorities.

Improper influence

Meanwhile, IBAC says it will continue a digital awareness campaign highlighting the risks of improper influence in state and local government.

The campaign will encourage the state’s public sector to speak up to stop improper influence.

In other measures for 2022-23 financial year, the watchdog says it will build internal data, finalise a new website and expand its communication and engagement activities across the Victorian public sector to encourage whistleblowers.

It also aims to develop a public sector integrity index and collaborate with the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office on a legal education program about engaging with IBAC

IBAC puts its potential total funding for 2022/23 at $63.9 million.