Public Interest Disclosures Policy 2023

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Consultation has now concluded.

On 1 October 2023, the new Public Interest Disclosure Act 2022 comes into force and replaces the former Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994.

With this new legislation comes a large amount of requirements forced upon Agencies by the NSW Ombudsman in regards to training of all Managers/Supervisors and designated Public Interest Disclosure Officers at all permanently maintained worksites.

We propose to adopt the model Public Interest Disclosure Policy that has been released by the NSW Ombudsman’s Office.

Background

Good government relies on public officials speaking up when they witness, or become aware of, wrongdoing in the public sector.

An integral part of that ‘speak up’ culture is having in place a framework that makes it easier for reporting. The framework:

Protects those who speak up from detriment

Takes active steps to maintain the confidentiality of reports

Place duties on agencies who receive reports of wrongdoing to take appropriate action to investigate or otherwise deal with them.

The new PID Act 2022 provides multiple pathways to report serious wrongdoing. This includes reporting to a Disclosure Officer, their Manager or other Agencies, such as other integrity agencies.

Submissions on the draft policy are open until close of business Thursday 26 October 2023.

Submissions may be made:

Privacy: Submissions with the author’s name and contact details will be provided to Councillors for consideration. However, names and contact information will be removed when the submissions are included in public documents such as Council Business Papers.

On 1 October 2023, the new Public Interest Disclosure Act 2022 comes into force and replaces the former Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994.

With this new legislation comes a large amount of requirements forced upon Agencies by the NSW Ombudsman in regards to training of all Managers/Supervisors and designated Public Interest Disclosure Officers at all permanently maintained worksites.

We propose to adopt the model Public Interest Disclosure Policy that has been released by the NSW Ombudsman’s Office.

Background

Good government relies on public officials speaking up when they witness, or become aware of, wrongdoing in the public sector.

An integral part of that ‘speak up’ culture is having in place a framework that makes it easier for reporting. The framework:

Protects those who speak up from detriment

Takes active steps to maintain the confidentiality of reports

Place duties on agencies who receive reports of wrongdoing to take appropriate action to investigate or otherwise deal with them.

The new PID Act 2022 provides multiple pathways to report serious wrongdoing. This includes reporting to a Disclosure Officer, their Manager or other Agencies, such as other integrity agencies.

Submissions on the draft policy are open until close of business Thursday 26 October 2023.

Submissions may be made:

Privacy: Submissions with the author’s name and contact details will be provided to Councillors for consideration. However, names and contact information will be removed when the submissions are included in public documents such as Council Business Papers.