Administrative offices
DPC is responsible for the effective, efficient, and economical management of the following administrative offices and have included their key initiatives in this Corporate Plan:
Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel
The Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel transforms policy into legislation, advises the government on its legislative program and drafts legislation for the government and the Parliament of Victoria. The office is responsible for ensuring up-to-date public access to authorised Victorian legislation and is also the Government Printer for Victoria, responsible for publishing Victorian legislation.
Office of the Governor
The Office of the Governor provides support to the Governor of Victoria in carrying out all aspects of their official duties for the benefit of the Victorian community and maintains Government House and grounds as a unique heritage community asset. The Governor’s role as the constitutional Head of State in Victoria includes constitutional and ceremonial duties, community and international engagement, as well as official municipal and regional visits.
Public entities and special bodies
The department supports the Premier and our Ministers in their responsibilities for the following public entities and special bodies:
- Labour Hire Authority
- Portable Long Service Authority
- Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
- Victorian Electoral Commission, including Electoral Boundaries Commission
- Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal
- Victorian Public Sector Commission
- Wage Inspectorate Victoria.
Key initiatives for the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council, Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal and Wage Inspectorate Victoria are included in this Corporate Plan, on the basis that their performance against key initiatives will be consolidated into the department’s annual report.
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council is established under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 to ensure the preservation and protection of Victoria’s rich Aboriginal cultural heritage. With important decision-making responsibilities and entirely Victorian Traditional Owner membership, the Council is the only statutory body of its kind in Victoria.
The Council is made up of 11 Traditional Owners who are appointed by the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples. The Council recognises Traditional Owners as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of their culture. The Council’s vision is of a community that understands and respects Aboriginal cultural heritage and the cultural responsibilities of Traditional Owners.
The Council plays an important role in the implementation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, with its principal functions being to: make decisions on Registered Aboriginal Party applications and monitor them; protect Ancestors’ resting places and return Ancestors to Country; manage Secret or Sacred Objects in Victoria; manage the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund: and implement measures to promote awareness and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal
The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal was established under the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal and Improving Parliamentary Standards Act 2019 to support transparent, accountable and evidence-based decision-making in relation to the remuneration of members of the Parliament of Victoria, Victorian public sector executives and Victorian local government mayors, deputy mayors and councillors.
The Tribunal is required by its legislation to independently inquire into and make determinations in relation to salaries and allowances for Members of Parliament, remuneration bands for executives employed in public service bodies, remuneration bands for executives employed in prescribed public entities and allowances provided to mayors, deputy mayors and councillors in local government.
Two independent compliance officers, attached to the Tribunal, hear and determine appeals from Members of Parliament in relation to the use of parliamentary allowances and the separation payment. The Tribunal and the compliance officers are supported by a secretariat that sits within the department.
Wage Inspectorate Victoria
The Wage Inspectorate Victoria promotes and enforces Victoria’s wage theft laws, child employment laws, long service leave entitlements, owner driver, forestry contractor, hirer and freight broker obligations.
The Wage Inspectorate Victoria gives practical advice, information and support to employees and employers. It conducts targeted information campaigns and investigates complaints. The Wage Inspectorate Victoria carries out a range of enforcement functions to ensure the laws are being followed. It works with other government agencies to ensure fair employment conditions.
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