C2025-08 Provisions about complaints to integrity agencies in settlement deeds
Government agencies and officers should not issue or enter into settlement deeds or other agreements that purport to prohibit a person from making or pursuing complaints to integrity agencies. Such provisions impede the work of integrity agencies and are contrary to the public interest.
Issued: by Secretary, The Cabinet Office
Key information
- Status
- Active
- Type
- The Cabinet Office Circular
- Identifier
- C2025-08
- Compliance
- Mandatory
- Created
- Updated
Who needs to know and/or comply with this?
- Executive agencies related to Departments
- Statutory Authorities/Bodies
- Departments
About
Government agencies and officers should not issue or enter into settlement deeds or other agreements that purport to prohibit a person from making or pursuing complaints to integrity agencies. Such provisions impede the work of integrity agencies and are contrary to the public interest.
In July 2025, the NSW Ombudsman tabled a special report to Parliament entitled ‘Deeds of Release and complaints to integrity agencies’ (the Report).
In the Report, the Ombudsman recommended that The Cabinet Office consider reminding all government agencies that requiring any person to enter into a deed of release that purports to prevent the person making or continuing a complaint to an integrity agency, is inappropriate and unacceptable and it is not to be done (Recommendation 3).
As the Ombudsman mentioned in the Report, people have a statutory right to complain to integrity agencies, including about their suspicion of corruption, maladministration or other wrong conduct by a government agency or official. The scrutiny of that conduct by the integrity body is a matter of public interest.
Provisions in a settlement deed or other agreement that purport to prohibit a person from making or continuing a complaint to an integrity agency is therefore inappropriate and unacceptable.
All government agencies and officials should ensure that they do not prepare or enter into a settlement deed or other agreement that purports to prohibit a person from making or continuing a complaint to an integrity agency. Such provisions impede the work of integrity agencies and are contrary to the public interest.
Any officials or other persons with questions or concerns about this issue should contact the Deputy Secretary, General Counsel, The Cabinet Office at [email protected].
Kate Boyd PSM
Secretary
The Cabinet Office