Making a public interest disclosure
The Public Interest Disclosure Act came into effect on 1 July 2003. The Act facilitates the disclosure of public interest information by providing protection for those who make disclosures and those who are the subject of disclosures.
It provides a system for the matters disclosed to be investigated and for appropriate action to be taken. If you believe that something is wrong with the way a government official or public authority or government contractor is acting or going to act, it is in the public interest that you talk to someone who can do something about it.
You can make disclosures about information that predates 1 July 2003.
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The Act deals with disclosures by anyone (not just government workers) but the information must be specific to the following areas: |
| Improper conduct |
Irregular or unauthorised use of public resources |
An offence under State law, including corruption
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Substantial unauthorised or irregular use of, or substantial mismanagement of, public resources |
| Administration matter(s) affecting you |
Conduct involving a substantial and specific risk of injury to public health, prejudice to public safety or harm to the environment |
If your information falls outside of the above areas then you may still be able to make a complaint to a public authority, but this will not be a disclosure under the Act.
Further information about the legislation and how to make a disclosure is available at the Office of the Public Sector Standards Commission website.
