Senator John Faulkner
24/2008
11 July 2008
The Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Government has referred the issue of whistleblower protection in the public sector to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
The Government has asked the Committee to consider and report on a preferred model for legislation to protect public interest disclosures (whistleblowing) within the Australian Government public sector.
“This inquiry is the first step in delivering on the Government’s election commitment to provide best practice legislation to encourage and protect public interest disclosures within government,” Senator Faulkner said.
Whistleblowing is the term commonly used to describe the disclosure of corruption or misconduct. Whistleblowing protection is about ensuring that there are appropriate processes in place, and protections offered, to facilitate the making of such disclosures.
“The Committee has been asked to report by 28 February 2009,” Senator Faulkner said. “The Government will consider the Committee’s recommendations with the aim of developing legislation implementing strengthened whistleblower protections during the course of 2009.”
The Terms of Reference for the inquiry are attached, and will shortly be available on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca.
Terms of Reference [PDF - 19KB]
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