Public Interest Disclosures (PID)
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 promotes the public interest by protecting persons who disclose unlawful, negligent or improper conduct, dangers to public health or dangers to the environment. Council considers the reporting and investigation of suspected misconduct within Council is fundamental to its ongoing integrity and organisational health and culture.
Council has developed a policy that clearly illustrates how it will deal with Public Interest Disclosures (PIDs). In general terms the policy is premised on the fact all persons have an ethical responsibility to report suspected misconduct and maladministration. A PID can be lodged by members of the public and by Council Officers about the actions of Council Officers (Including Councillors).
The Public Interest Disclosure Policy provides details of what constitutes a PID and how it will be processed by Council whilst adhering to the principles of natural justice to protect the interests of both the discloser and any 'Officer' the subject of any PID. The policy also provides some clarification as to when a disclosure is considered a PID. For instance, complaints about a Council decision to allocate resources in a particular manner (budget) is not a PID.
This policy replaces the 'Whistleblowers Protection Policy' and needs to be read in conjunction with other documentation such as the Employee Code of Conduct and the Administrative Action Complaints Policy.