BackOn 26 June 2013, the Australian Parliament passed the Public Interest Disclosure Bill, legislation which establishes the first stand-alone whistleblower protection scheme for federal public servants, contractors and employees of contractors who report wrongdoing within the Commonwealth public sector.
The Bill confers a number of roles and powers on the Commonwealth Ombudsman to ensure the legislation meets its objectives. The Ombudsman’s office will assist both agencies and disclosers interpret, understand and comply with the legislation. The office will also have oversight of agency decisions and will report annually to parliament on the scheme, providing transparency and accountability for its operation.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Colin Neave, said the Public Interest Disclosure Bill will help to ensure the efficient, effective and ethical delivery of government services and ultimately help reduce risks to the environment and the health and safety of the community.
‘It will provide indirect benefits to all Australians and contribute to building further confidence in the Commonwealth public sector,’ Mr Neave said.
The Minister for the Public Service and Integrity, Mark Dreyfus QC, in announcing the passage of the Bill, said the legislation will encourage a pro-disclosure culture across the public sector by facilitating disclosure and investigation of wrongdoing and maladministration in the federal public sector.
‘It provides a clear set of rules for government agencies to respond to allegations of wrongdoing made by current and former public officials, and strengthens protections against victimisation and discrimination for those speaking out,’ Mr Dreyfus said.
The Public Interest Disclosure Bill will become law when it receives Royal Assent from the Governor General, and will come into operation no later than six months after that date. The Bill also includes a statutory review of its operations two years after commencement.
Source: Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman
