The planned introduction of a private members’ bill to federal parliament to establish an independent body to better protect government whistleblowers has been welcomed by advocates.
Backed by independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Dr Helen Haines and senators David Pocock and Jaqui Lambie, the bill will support the creation of a Whistleblower Protection Authority – an independent agency to safeguard those who expose government corruption and wrongdoing.
“We welcome the ongoing attention being placed on this vital issue across the political spectrum,” said AJ Brown – Transparency International Australia chair. “Current piecemeal approaches aren’t working, especially due to lack of practical support, insufficient oversight and little enforcement of protections.”
The TIA called the bill’s introduction “a pivotal opportunity for all parties to commit to comprehensive improvement of federal legal protections for whistleblowers,” including filling gaps in existing legislation that lack “dedicated enforcement” and allow “the insufficient, patchy implementation of existing laws.”
Kieran Pender – associate legal director at the Human Rights Law Centre – said the organisation often witnesses the difficulties faced by whistleblowers when speaking up about government. “A Whistleblower Protection Authority is a landmark step towards better supporting, protecting and empowering whistleblowers.”
Sharon Kelsey – who was sacked from Queensland’s Logan City Council in 2018 after reporting the misconduct of former mayor Luke Smith – has experienced the challenges of informing firsthand.
“I know how critical it is to have robust protections and practical support for those who speak up,” she said. “The bill can provide a model for the practicable, enforceable safeguards that will ensure whistleblowers are supported, and not left carrying impossible burdens for doing the right thing.”
Leave a Reply