The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne takes all complaints very seriously.

This information is intended to help you if you wish to make a complaint, have been or are being abused or harassed by the Archbishop of Melbourne (see legislation for further details).

If you wish to make a complaint about a Regional Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne, please refer to Professional Standards.

The Director of Episcopal Standards responds to all complaints of misconduct including, but not limited to, sexual, physical, spiritual or emotional abuse by the Archbishop. The Director is as independent as possible from the Diocese but is remunerated by the Diocese.

All information provided to this service is strictly confidential. You can email the Director at DoES@melbourneanglican.org.au.  Please include in the subject line of your email “Director of Episcopal – Confidential”. 

The aim is to resolve complaints as quickly as possible. There are different ways of dealing with complaints — informally, formally or referring the matter to a child protection authority or to the Police.

If the formal process as outlined in the Episcopal Standards Act 2011 is used, the Director advises the Episcopal Standards Committee (ESC) which investigates the matter. The Power and Trust in the Church protocol guides this process.

If the ESC believes that the conduct or the subject of the complaint, if established, would call into question the fitness of the Archbishop, it may refer the matter to the Episcopal Standards Board for ajudication. The Board must determine whether the complaint is proven and, if so, may make recommendations to the Church Authority as to what action should be taken against the Archbishop. The Church authority must give effect to recommendations of the Board and Review Board on a complaint or any authorised modifications of the same.

Legislation

The documents on this page represent the body of legislation, protocols and codes which govern ethical and professional standards in the Diocese and are adhered to rigorously.

Episcopal Standards Act 2015 – 2017

Anglican Diocese of Melbourne-Episcopal Standards Protocol 2015

Anglican Diocese of Melbourne-Episcopal Standards Regulations 201