Ethics: Fix whistleblower laws first

Isla MacGregor

Ms MacGregor said “While many Tasmanians are calling for an ICAC or an Ethics Commission our whistleblowers are avoiding using the existing Public Interest Disclosure (PID) Act. Why? Because it is completely dysfunctional”.
Whistleblowers Tasmania
MEDIA RELEASE
27th May 2008

Fix Whistleblower laws before any ICAC

Isla MacGregor, spokesperson for Whistleblowers Tasmania will today call on the Premier “to fix existing Tasmanian Whistleblower laws as a first priority if he truly wants to restore the community’s trust in his Government”.

Ms MacGregor said “While many Tasmanians are calling for an ICAC or an Ethics Commission our whistleblowers are avoiding using the existing Public Interest Disclosure (PID)Act. Why? Because it is completely dysfunctional”.

“It took ten years from promise to proclamation to get the Public Interest Disclosure Act up and running in Tasmania. While Tasmanians are waiting for an ICAC to be established whistleblowers will continue to be hounded out of their jobs. “

“Premier David Bartlett needs to immediately implement a review of the PID Act. Peter Bennett, National President of Whistleblowers Australia said that Australia needs uniform laws and that Senator Andrew Murray’s PID legislation tabled in the Senate last year is the best model to start from.”

“Effective PID legislation now will be the primary building block for any ICAC. Public servants are crying out for an end to this culture of fear and intimidation in their workplaces”.

“In a recent discussion with the Ombudsman, Simon Allston said that the Public Interest Disclosure Act was “unduly difficult”. Recent comments from Simon Allston on the need for FOI reforms are supported by Whistleblowers Tasmania and we want to see a complete overhaul of legislation covering all our watchdog bodies.”

“If there is going to be a Parliamentary Inquiry into the establishment of a Tasmanian ICAC then it will need to be preceded by a review of existing watch dog bodies to establish relevant changes needed to restore their powers and resources.”

“Premier Bartlett needs to immediately begin discussion with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd about his Government’s proposals to restore trust and integrity with “root and branch” reforms and promote a “pro-disclosure culture”. A national simultaneous approach needs to be progressed while the PID Act is reformed.”