To address sexual harassment in their workplaces, departments must first understand its prevalence. They can then:

Sexual harassment in the workplace is unlawful and can have significant negative effects on individuals and their employers. In some cases, sexual harassment is also a criminal offence.

A national survey by the AHRC in 2018 showed that sexual harassment is common. One in three people reported being sexually harassed at work in the past five years.

In the Victorian public service, this rate appears to be lower. In 2019, 7 per cent of departmental respondents to the VPSC's PMS said that they had experienced sexual harassment at work in the previous 12 months.

Sexual harassment is harmful, unlawful and, in some instances, a criminal offence. Its impact on individuals and employers can be significant.

Sexual harassment can take many forms and result in physical and emotional harm. Our report discusses these issues. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or assault, or feels distressed, several support options are available.

Acronyms

DTF and Victoria Police assessed the Cbus/Australia Post VPC proposal through the five stages of the MLP process between May 2015 and December 2016 with input from the SSP, the Valuer-General and external commercial and legal advisers. The:

Figure B1 on the following page provides a chronology for the assessment of the WGT MLP.

Figure B1
Chronological outline of WGT MLP process

We have consulted with DPC, DTF, DoT, Victoria Police and DJPR, and we considered their views when reaching our audit conclusions. As required by the Audit Act 1994, we gave a draft copy of this report, or relevant extracts, to those agencies and asked for their submissions and comments.

Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

Since the MLP interim guideline was issued in early 2015, it has included the government objective of ensuring a transparent and fair process, with the highest level of probity and public accountability maintained throughout.

While the state was considering the VPC proposal from Cbus/Australia Post, it received two alternative MLPs for a Victoria Police headquarters, one of which was from the owners of the WTC, which currently houses the Victoria Police headquarters.

Figure 5A
Two alternate MLPs

In May 2015, Cbus and Australia Post submitted an MLP to the state. They proposed to build a new Victoria Police headquarters, the VPC, on a vacant site at 311 Spencer Street in Melbourne's CBD. This site is next to the existing City West Police Complex.