THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management
MEDIA RELEASE
Whistleblower protection introduced to Parliament
Public sector whistleblowers will have greater protection under legislation introduced by the Government today.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC introduced the Public Interest Disclosure Bill, which reaffirms the Governments commitment to a culture of disclosure in the Australian public sector.
The Public Interest Disclosure Bill contains three key measures to provide a full framework to investigate public interest disclosures, protections for whistleblowers and the circumstances where disclosures could be made outside government.
Open and transparent government is a key feature of a strong democracy and this bill, along with our reforms to FOI laws, will help build and maintain that culture, said Mr Dreyfus.
The bill was developed in response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs report Whistleblower Protection: A Comprehensive Scheme for the Commonwealth Public Sector and will provide best practice legislation to apply across the entire Australian public sector.
These protections are about having processes in place that foster a culture of speaking out about wrongdoing, misconduct and corruption when it occurs, said Mr Dreyfus.
As the Chair of the Committee which recommended this legislation, I am especially pleased to be introducing this bill today.
I will be consulting widely with members of Parliament, community groups, experts and public sector representatives to make sure we get the best possible scheme.
The Commonwealth is the only Australian jurisdiction without dedicated legislation to facilitate the making of public interest disclosures and protect those who make them. This bill will rectify that situation.
THURSDAY, 21 MARCH 2013
