Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog boosts witness protection after suicide

Victoria’s anti-corruption agency has conceded its witness welfare policies need to be strengthened following the suicide of an ex-mayor.

Former Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon took her life in January. Picture: Chris Eastman

Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog has conceded its handling of witnesses could be improved with better communication and training frontline staff to deal with the welfare of individuals caught-up in investigations.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission revealed on Tuesday that it had ordered the overhaul in the wake of the suicide of a witness in Operation Sandon.

IBAC, in a report tabled in parliament, has identified “enhanced witness liaison” as a priority for the agency in 2022-23.

“IBAC understands that witnesses involved in an IBAC investigation process may experience heightened levels of stress,” the agency states in its 20-page report.

IBAC investigators “provided support for witnesses … and external counselling services” but the report reveals the agency believes its witness welfare policies could be improved.

“A recent review of IBAC’s current practices identified opportunities for improvement, including: clear communication with witnesses and persons of interest during the non-investigative phase, currency and consistency of policies, procedures and other supporting documentation,” the report states.

“Support and advice for frontline personnel when needs of individuals are complex or escalate unexpectedly. With a focus on continuous improvement, the communication and support provided to witnesses and others involved in an investigation will be enhanced.”

Former Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon took her life in January, three days after receiving IBAC’s draft report into her alleged role in allegedly corrupt land deals involving a developer and councillors.

Friends and former council colleagues blame IBAC for the 58-year-old’s suicide, claiming its two-year Operation Sandon investigation and the humiliation of her public examination left the ex-mayor feeling depressed, isolated and paranoid about going to jail.

Stapledon’s supporters say that the welfare support offered by IBAC was inadequate and uncertainty about her fate fuelled by the marathon investigation, and a lack of communication from IBAC, contributed to her death.

They have also criticised IBAC and the Victorian Inspectorate, the agency charged with monitoring IBAC, for failing to react to earlier warnings that Operation Sandon witnesses were a suicide risk.

IBAC said on Tuesday that it was “continually looking to improve all aspects” of operations, including witness management.

“One of the practical steps we undertook was to review the communication with witnesses and persons of interest over the life of the investigation to ensure the language is easy to understand, better explains the steps in an investigation and provides clear information of the support services available,” an IBAC spokesperson said.

In its report, IBAC has also revealed that no complex investigations into public sector corrupt conduct, excluding police personnel conduct and police personnel corrupt conduct, were completed within 18 months. It has set a target of completing 60 per cent of these probes within this time frame over the next financial year.

IBAC has also revealed it a key focus of its investigations will be Victoria’s major infrastructure projects, many of which are running over budget and behind time.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, call: Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au; Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au