LABOR OPPOSITION PROPOSES NEW LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS Protections for whistleblowers will be strengthened under new legislation put forward by the NSW Labor Opposition. The new protections are part of a Private Member’s Bill introduced to the NSW Parliament today by Shadow Attorney General Paul Lynch. The strengthened protections are an important part of the New Standard package of reforms announced earlier this year by NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson. As part of the legislation: Whistleblower protections will be expanded to cover anyone reporting corruption about the public sector, including those reporting anonymously; Whistleblower protections will cover individuals who have no choice but to report their information direct to a journalist or MP; The definition of the type of behaviour that justifies whistleblowing will be extended from corrupt conduct, maladministration and serious waste to also include danger to the environment or public health and safety, as well as scientific misconduct; and The bar to prosecute for an offence of detrimental action against a whistleblower will be lowered No one should be threatened, lose their job or have their career suffer as a consequence of speaking out against corruption,” Mr Lynch said. “NSW was one of the first states to introduce protection for whistleblowers - but other jurisdictions have now leap-frogged over us to provide better protections. “Recently we’ve seen threats of disciplinary action launched against caseworkers who have gone to the media with information about cuts to protections of vulnerable children. “We have also seen disciplinary action taken against a nurse by NSW Health for simply talking to the Opposition Leader during a visit to a hospital. “Put simply the existing whistleblower laws are inadequate and this Bill will redress the balance. “The O’Farrell Government has indulged in a lot of bluster about protecting whistleblowers but has only made very modest changes. “It is also important also to protect anonymous sources. If a whistleblower is so apprehensive they’ll only disclose anonymously, then that is precisely a circumstance in which protection should be provided. “Whistleblowers strengthen and improve the fabric of Government and they are an important part of democratic societies. Their protection should not rely on second best measures.”
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 06:01:46 +0000
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