[Greens-Media] FW: MEDIA RELEASE: WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS FAIL TO PROTECT PUBLIC SERVANTS

[Klug, Georgie (Sen C. Milne)]

WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS FAIL TO PROTECT PUBLIC SERVANTS

The Australian Greens say Labor's new whistleblowing laws are unnecessarily complex and could expose Australian public servants to greater retribution for exposing wrongdoing. 

Australian Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne has condemned a House of Representatives Committee report for failing to recommend changes to whistleblowing laws.

"This proposed legislation essentially sets up trip wires at every turn and one wrong step means the whistleblower is out on their own, exposed to lengthy and stressful legal retribution," Senator Milne said.

"Whistleblower protection must encourage those hesitant about speaking out, but there are so many specific requirements for a disclosure in this bill that I fear it will do the opposite.

"Any legislation to protect whistleblowers should make it easy and safe for people who are aware of maladministration or corruption to voice their concerns.

"Evidence shows that most public servants will turn first to their supervisor or manager to discuss a serious issue, but this form of disclosure is not clearly protected under the bill - and it should be.
 
"The bill also fails to protect those who would expose wrongdoing by Ministers, politicians or their staff, or judicial officers. This is a serious omission and it is in the public interest to reveal corruption or fraud in government, wherever it occurs.

"The Australian Greens are committed to standing up for Australia's public servants and we want to see a world's best practice whistleblower protection scheme, just like the Greens-ALP ACT Assembly provided for its public servants. 

"We are committed to working with Labor in these last sitting weeks of the Parliament to fix the problem and secure a vital component of workplace rights and a flourishing, open democracy."