The Victorian Government says it is enhancing transparency in the planning system and boosting accountability within local governments.

It has announced new initiatives designed to facilitate home construction and ensure councillors serve their community's interests effectively.

Following the July 2023 Operation Sandon report, the government has agreed to implement 32 of IBAC’s suggestions, either in full or in principle, with partial acceptance for one recommendation. 

The planning system will be adjusted to incorporate many of IBAC’s proposals to diminish corruption risks, enhancing transparency and consistency through a review of the Planning and Environment Act.

The government is also preparing legislation to improve the performance and accountability of state councillors, aiming to restore public confidence in local government representation.

Reform of the Local Government Act 2020, announced in November 2023, will mandate training for elected representatives, establish a standard Councillor Code of Conduct, and augment the Minister's powers to address conduct issues. 

In parallel, the Electoral Review Expert Panel, reviewing the 2018 reforms to the Electoral Act 2002, has taken into account IBAC's suggestion to ban donations from high-risk groups like property developers. 

The government says it is currently reviewing the panel's report.

To coordinate the reform efforts across various government departments, an interdepartmental taskforce is being established, promising to report its findings to the public within 18 months.