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

Integrity Commission