Public Interest Disclosures
The legislation
The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2002 (the Act) is Tasmania’s whistleblowing legislation.
The purpose of the Act is to:
- encourage and facilitate disclosures of improper conduct by Tasmanian public officers and public bodies;
- protect persons making those disclosures and others from reprisals;
- provide for the matters disclosed to be properly investigated and dealt with; and
- provide all parties involved in those disclosures with natural justice.
The Ombudsman has a number of functions under this Act, including:
- receiving disclosures from public officers, contractors (including members of the public if it is in the public interest) and determining if the disclosures are public interest disclosures;
- investigating public interest disclosures;
- receiving notifications about public interest disclosures made internally to public bodies;
- reviewing certain decisions by public bodies under the Act;
- monitoring the progress of public bodies’ investigations;
- preparing and publishing guidelines and standards;
- reviewing and approving large public bodies' procedures every three years; and
- providing advice to public bodies.
Blowing the whistle in Tasmania
Blowing the whistle in Tasmania - Find out how to make a disclosure under the Act.
Reprisal for blowing the whistle in Tasmania - The Act provides protection against detrimental action - to people who have made, or intend to make, a protected disclosure.
Receiving, assessing and investigating a disclosure - Public bodies need to ensure they appropriately assess serious complaints from staff and contractors to determine if the Act applies.
Guidelines and standards
The Ombudsman is required to publish a number of guidelines and standards under the Act. These guidelines assist with the interpretation and application of the Act.
More information
Ombudsman Tasmania
- Call 1800 001 170
- Email ombudsman@ombudsman.tas.gov.au
Integrity Commission
- Call 1300 720 289
- Email contact@integrity.tas.gov.au
- Website: www.integrity.tas.gov.au