Submissions open for review to safeguard whistle-blowers

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman has announced that retired Supreme Court judge, the Honourable Alan Wilson KC, is calling for submissions to his review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (PID Act).

Mr Wilson today published an issues paper and called for public submissions to the review, which will strengthen Queensland’s PID Act and consider further safeguards for whistle-blowers.

“We welcome the call for submissions, which are valuable resources for enhancing and improving the Public Interest Disclosure Act and Queensland’s integrity framework,” Minister Fentiman said.

The PID Act facilitates the reporting of wrongdoing in the public sector when it is in the public interest to do so, while also providing protection for those who make reports.

The review was recommended by Professor Peter Coaldrake AO in his review of the Queensland public sector.

Ms Fentiman said the review would examine whether protections for whistle-blowers were appropriate and effective, and the role of the Queensland Ombudsman and other relevant entities.

The Office of the Queensland Ombudsman is the oversight agency for the PID Act.

Under the Terms of Reference for the review, Mr Wilson will consider issues such as:

• Whether the objects of the PID Act are valid and are being achieved
• The roles of the Queensland Ombudsman and other integrity bodies for public interest disclosures
• Education and training about the PID Act in the public sector
• Consider reviews and developments in other jurisdictions which represent good practice
• Whether the PID Act is consistent with the Human Rights Act 2019.

Mr Wilson’s review is expected to be completed by 30 April 2023.

Submissions are open until 5pm on Friday 24 February 2023. For more information, or to make a submission, click here.

ENDS

Media contact: Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719