People who sell out police informants will face significant jail time under reforms being put forward by the Victorian government.
The Human Source Management Bill 2022, to be introduced to parliament on Tuesday, sets up independent oversight of police in a bid to restore the public's faith in the justice system.
The laws put into effect 25 recommendations from the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.
The 2020 commission investigated Victoria Police's handling of former gangland lawyer-turned-police informant Nicola Gobbo, and the push to turn her into a prosecution witness.
Under the new laws, Victoria Police will have to apply to a senior officer to register someone as a human source or informant, and they will only be approved if it is appropriate and justified.
Informants will have the reasonable expectation of confidentiality, and people who disclose information revealing them without a permitted purpose face a maximum of two years in prison.
The jail time jumps up to 10 years for people who expose an informant either to endanger someone's health or safety, or interfere with a criminal investigation or prosecution.
"Human sources are extremely valuable for police but we need clear laws in place to appropriately manage the inherent risks that go with it for both the person involved and Victoria Police," Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said.
"These important and nation-leading reforms achieve the appropriate balance between mitigating the risks of using human sources and ensuring Victoria Police can continue to act on information to keep our community safe."
The Public Interest Monitor will oversee all registrations of high-risk informants under the laws, and the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission will monitor Victoria Police's compliance with the scheme.
The laws will ensure significant protections are enforced when informants are at great risk, including when they have access to privileged information, are under the age of 18, or have a serious physical or mental health condition.
The changes build on the extensive work Victoria Police has already undertaken towards making informants' management more robust, safe, and transparent, Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.
