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House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Footnotes
Preliminary Pages
[1]
Dr Thomas Stockmann, in Ibsen, Henrik, An Enemy of the People, Act
1. Also cited in Bok, Sissela 1982, Secrets: on the ethics of
concealment and revelation, Pantheon Books, New York, p. 210.
[2]
Transparency International November 2008, Corruption perceptions index
2008, in TI Australia News, pp. 2-3.
[3]
Senate Select Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing August 1994, In
the public interest, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.
[4]
Joint Committee of Public Accounts September 1997, Report 353—An advisory
report on the Public Service Bill 1997 and the Public Employment (Consequential
and Transitional) Amendment Bill 1997, p. 64; Senate Finance and Public
Administration Legislation Committee October 1997, Provisions of the Public
Service Bill 1997 and the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional)
Amendment Bill 1997, p. 4.
Chapter 1 Introduction
[1] This broad
definition was adapted from the Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd
Edition, Volume 16, Clarendon Press, 1989, p.258.
[2] The
Australian Law Reform Commission is currently undertaking a review into secrecy
provisions.
[3] Brown,
AJ(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 1.
[4] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 4 September 2008, p. 2.
[5] The complete
terms of reference for this inquiry are located at the beginning of this
report.
[6] In its current
review into secrecy laws, the Australian Law Reform Commission identified over
370 distinct secrecy provisions in 166 pieces of legislation.
[7] Section 13, Public
Service Act 1999.
[8] As discussed
below, this protection is limited.
[9] Australian Public
Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 5.
[10] The Australian
Public Service Commissioner, Ms Briggs, and the Merit Protection Commissioner, Ms
Godwin, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September 2008, pp. 12-18.
[11] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44a, p. 2.
[12] Brown, AJ(ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government. Whistleblowers Australia noted that the views of those who had left the public services due to reprisals
were not included in the research. See Whistleblowers Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 6.
[13] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 6.
[14] For example,
see Australian Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 6; Mr McMahon,
Submission no. 45a, p. 11.
[15] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 6.
[16] Brown, AJ(ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. xxvii.
[17] The Australian
Public Service Commissioner, Ms Briggs, Address the launch the State of the
service report 2007–08.
[18] The Australian
Public Service Commissioner, Ms Briggs, 2008 David Hawkes Oration, Australian
Institute of Public Administration, Northern Territory Chapter, at http://www.apsc.gov.au/media/briggs101108.htm
(accessed 20 February 2009).
[19] Brown, AJ(ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 265.
[20] Australian Public
Service Commission, State of the service report 2003-04, p. 112.
[21] Australian
Public Service Commission, State of the service report 2003-04, pp.
112-3.
[22] Australian
Public Service Commission, State of the service report 2007-08, p. 170.
[23] Australian Public
Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 6.
[24] Australian
Public Service Commission, State of the service report 2007-08, p. 169.
[25] The Fair Work
Bill 2008, currently before the Senate, contains broader provisions in relation
to workplace rights and adverse action, however, these provisions were not
designed to facilitate and protect public interest disclosures. See, Workplace
Ombudsman, Submission no. 69, pp. 4-5.
[26] Ms Briggs, Transcript
of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 2.
[27] Dr Bibby, Transcript
of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 4.
[28] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the
next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. i.
[29] Law Institute
of Victoria, Submission no. 35, p. 4; Mr Newlan, Transcript of
Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 8; Mr Leonard AM, Transcript of
Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 64; Ms Bulder, Submission no. 32,
p. 7.
[30] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the
next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. 4.
[31] The
Attorney-General’s Department submitted that s. 16 of the Public Service Act
1999 and s. 170CK(2)(e) of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 implement
Article 33 of UNCAC in Australian law. See Submission no. 14, p. 6.
[32] Australia - Phase 2: Report on implementation of the OECD anti-bribery
convention 16 January 2006, OECD, Paris, p. 31.
Chapter 2 Principles and definitions
[1] Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 34.
[2] Mr Bennett, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 32.
[3] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 283.
[4] Community and Public Sector Union, Submission
no. 8a, p. 2.
[5] Mr Roger Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence,
27 November 2008, pp. 2, 13, 15, 19.
[6] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing
in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness
management in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School
of Government, pp. 283-287.
[7] Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 4.
[9] Miceli, MP & Near, JP 1984, ‘The
relationships among beliefs, organisational position, and whistle-blowing
status: a discriminant analysis’, Academy of Management Journal, vol.
27, no. 4, pp. 689. This definition was adopted by the Whistle While They Work
Project Team. See, Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the
Australian public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness
management in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School
of Government, p. 8.
[10] De Maria, W 1994, ‘Quarantining dissent: the Queensland public sector ethics movement’,
in Australian Journal of Public Administration, Vol. 54 no. 4, December
1995, p. 447.
[11] De Maria, W 1999, Deadly disclosures: whistleblowing and the ethical meltdown of Australia, Kent Town, Wakefield Press, p. 25.
[12] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence,
4 September 2008, p 6.
[13] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26a, p. 2.
[14] Section 41, Public
Service Act 1999.
[15] Australian Public
Service Commission, Circular No 2001/4: Whistleblowers' reports, 2001.
[16] See Chapter
17, Whistleblowing, APSC, APS Values and code of conduct in practice,
2005.
[17] Mr S. Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 7.
[18] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, pp. 6-7.
[19] Senator
Murray, Second Reading Speech, Public Interest Disclosures Bill 2007, Senate
Hansard, 14 June 2007, p. 1.
[20] Australian Law
Reform Commission 2008, Review of secrecy laws: issues paper no. 34,
p. 100.
[21] Finn, P 1991, Integrity
in government project: interim report 1, Australian National University, p. 147.
[22] Australian Law
Reform Commission 2008, Review of secrecy laws: issues paper no. 34,
p. 30.
[23] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 5, emphasis in original.
[24] Mr Bennett, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 38.
[25] Dr Bowden, Submission no. 18, p. 2.
[26] Ms Kardell, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 39.
[27] Dr Sawyer, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 49.
[28] Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 37.
[29] Finn, P 1991,
Integrity in government project: interim report 1, Canberra, the Australian National University, p. 49.
[30] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. xxi.
[31] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 36.
[32] Australian Public
Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 6.
Chapter 3 Categories of people who could make protected disclosures
[1] For example
see Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 4; Mr Arundell, Submission no. 2,
p. 1; Post Office Agents Association Limited, Submission no. 15, p. 3.
[2] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 16 (emphasis in original).
[3] Department of
Defence, Submission no. 48, p. 1.
[4] Ms Hamilton, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 78.
[5] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 3.
[6] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, pp. 3-4.
[7] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 5; s. 10(1)(a) Public
Service Act 1999.
[8] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 3.
[9] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p.
60.
[10] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. 8.
[11] Law Institute
of Victoria, Submission no. 35, p. 5.
[12] Aspects of this
argument have been presented in the evidence noted below.
[13] Office of the
Special Counsel 2008, Whistleblower disclosures,
at http://www.osc.gov/wbdisc.htm
[14] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, pp. 9-10.
[15] Associate Professor Faunce, Transcript of Evidence, 18 September 2008, p. 21.
[16] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 3.
[17] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 4 September 2008, p. 6.
[18] Clause 5,
Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2007, introduced by Senator Murray.
[19] See s. 7, Australian
Public Service Act 1999.
[20] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 1.
[21] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 8.
[22] Australian
Bureau of Statistics 2003, Australian system of government finance
statistics: concepts, sources and methods, p. 256.
[23] See,
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003, Australian system of government
finance statistics: concepts, sources and methods, para 2.29.
[24] Section 3 of
the Crimes Act 1914.
[25] Australian
Bureau of Statistics 2003, Australian system of government finance
statistics: concepts, sources and methods, para 2.47.
[26] National Tertiary
Education Union, Submission no. 63, p. 4.
[27] Dr Ahern, Submission
no. 56, p. 3; Dr Stewart, Submission no. 50, p. 1.
[28] Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 3.
[29] For example, Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 4.
[30] Queensland Council of Unions, Submission no. 36, p. 3.
[31] Mr Ross, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p 22.
[32] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 1.
[33] Community and Public
Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 2.
[34] The Prime
Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Address to heads of agencies and members of
the senior executive service, Great Hall, Parliament House Canberra, 30 April 2008.
[35] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 9.
[36] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 9.
[37] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 28 August 2008, p. 7.
[38] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 22.
[39] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 1; Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 2; Department of Defence, Submission
no. 48, p. 1.
[40] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 22
[41] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 1.
[42] See ss. 12, 21
(3), Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.
[43] Department of
Finance and Deregulation, Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, Annual report
2007-08, Commonwealth of Australia, 2008.
[44] Section 16, Parliamentary
Service Act 1999.
[45] Currently, the
Workplace Relations Act 1996.
[46] Mr Evans, Submission no. 67, p. 1.
[47] Clause 5,
Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2007.
[48] Mr Wright, Submission no. 70, p. 4.
[49] Mr Grove, Report
of proceedings before the committee on the Independent Commission against
Corruption, 1 December 2008, p. 46.
[50] Ms Lovelock, Report of proceedings before the committee on the Independent Commission against
Corruption, 1 December 2008, p. 28. These comments were made in the context
of the NSW Parliament but would generally apply in relation to members of the
Commonwealth Parliament.
[51] Department of
Finance and Deregulation, Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, Annual
Report 2007-08, Commonwealth of Australia, 2008, p. 43.
[52] Ms Lovelock, Report
of proceedings before the committee on the Independent Commission against
Corruption, 1 December 2008, p. 16; Mr Grove, Report of proceedings
before the committee on the Independent Commission against Corruption, 1
December 2008, p. 43.
[53] Parliamentary
proceedings have certain immunities from ordinary law in accordance with
s. 49 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Parliamentary
Privileges Act 1987.
[54] Australian Bureau
of Statistics 2006, Voluntary work Australia, 4441.0, p. 3, 56.
[55] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 2.
[56] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 4.
[57] Department of
Defence, Submission no. 48, p. 3.
[58] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 18.
[59] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 17.
[60] Dr Zirnsak, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, pp. 75-78.
[61] Australia - phase 2: report on implementation of the OECD anti-bribery
convention 16 January 2006, OECD, Paris, p. 34.
[62] The Inspector-General
of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 and the Law Enforcement Integrity
Commissioner Act 2006.
[63] Australian Commission
for Law Enforcement Integrity, Submission, no. 13, p. 1.
[64] Australian
Federal Police, Submission no. 38, pp. 7-9.
[65] Australian
Intelligence Community agencies are: the Australian Security Intelligence
Organisation, Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, Australian Secret
Intelligence Service, Defence Signals Directorate, Defence Intelligence
Organisation, Office of National Assessments.
[66] Inspector-General
of Intelligence and Security, Submission no. 3, p. 2. Mr Nathan Rogers
referred the Committee to a United States Congressional Research report which
discusses pathways relevant to personnel in national security settings, Submission
no. 1, p. 1.
[67] Department of
Defence, Submission no. 48, p. 1. Defence civilians are those subject to
defence force discipline as defined in s. 3 of the Defence Force Discipline
Act 1982.
[68] Mr Newlan, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 4.
[69] STOPline Pty
Ltd, Submission no. 25, p. 9.
[70] Standards Australia, Submission no. 16, Attachment A, Australian Standard AS 8004—2003 Whistleblower
protection programs for entities.
[71] Brown, AJ 2006,
Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next
generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. 11.
[72] Brown, AJ 2006,
Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next
generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. 11.
[73] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 2.
Chapter 4 The types of disclosures that should be protected
[1] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p 13.
[2] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p 8.
[3] Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation, Submission no. 71, p. 4.
[4] Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Submission no. 71, p.
6.
[5] Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Submission no. 71, p.
7.
[6] Dr Borgas, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 67.
[7] Dr Borgas, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, pp. 68–72.
[8] Australian Public
Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 9.
[9] Australia - phase 2: report on implementation of the OECD anti-bribery
convention 16 January 2006, OECD, Paris, p. 31.
[10] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, pp 5,6.
[11] Community and Public
Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, pp. 2-3.
[12] Associate Professor Faunce, Submission no. 4, p. 9.
[13] Senate Select
Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing, 1994, In the public interest,
p. 163.
[14] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector:
enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in public
sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p
xxi.
[15] For example
see, Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, pp. 39, 40, Dr Zirnsak, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 82.
[16] Commissioner Pritchard, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p 74.
[17] Mr Podger, Submission no. 55, p. 3.
[18] Office of the
Public Sector Standards Commissioner, Submission no. 39, p. 4.
[19] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 6.
[20] See, for
example, Part IV of the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
[21] McKinnon v
Secretary, Department of Treasury (2006) 228 CLR 423, 456.
[22] For example,
see Australian Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 10
[23] Ms Melissa Parke MP, Submission no 51, p. 6.
[24] NSW Council
for Civil Liberties, Submission no. 17, p 3.
[25] Community and
Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p 3.
[26] Professor McKinnon, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p 53.
[27] Associate Professor McKnight, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, pp. 51-52.
[28] Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 37.
[29] Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 37.
[30] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 28 August 2008, p. 2.
[31] Mr Bennett, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p 33.
[33] Hansard 10 August 2005, p. 51.
[34] Commonwealth
v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1980) 147 CLR 39, 52.
[35] Mr Needham, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 16.
[36] Ms Kardell, Submission no. 65, p. 8.
[37] Dr Bowden, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 24.
[38] Dr Ahern, citing research by Grover and Hui, Submission no. 56, p. 3.
Chapter 5 Conditions that should apply to a person making a disclosure
[1] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p 1, 2.
[2] Law Institute
of Victoria, Submission no. 35, p. 6.
[3] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p 7.
[4] Community and
Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 4.
[5] Dr Bibby, Transcript
of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 2.
[6] Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, pp.34-35.
[7] Mr Newlan, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 2.
[8] Dr Bowden, Submission no. 18, p. 4.
[9] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p.
22.
[10] Community and
Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 3.
[11] Community and
Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 3.
[12] Miss Casben, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 12.
[13] Ms Hamilton, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 78.
[14] Ms Hamilton, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 83.
[15] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 8.
[16] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, 2006, Work practices manual.
[17] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, 2006, Work practices manual.
[18] Dr Bibby, Transcript
of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p 5.
[19] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 2.
[21] Mr Podger, Submission no. 55, p. 4.
[22] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 8.
[25] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, pp. 26-27.
[26] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 11.
[27] Ms Godwin, Transcript of Evidence, 12 September 2008, p. 12.
[28] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 3.
[29] Deputy Commissioner Hamilton, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 83.
[30] Mr Newlan, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 2; Commonwealth Ombudsman, Submission
no. 31, p. 8.
[31] For example, Community
and Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 3.
[32] Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 39.
[33] Gibbs, H, Watson, R & Menzies, A 1991, Review of Commonwealth criminal law: Final report,
para 35.12.
[34] Mr Warren, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, pp. 62-63.
[35] For example, see
Mr Ellis, Submission no. 33, p. 3.
[36] Deputy
Commissioner Negus, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 12.
[37] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 12.
[38] False
Claims Act 31 USC 3729-3733; See Dr Bowden, Transcript of Evidence,
27 October 2007, p. 25, Associate Professor Faunce, Submission no. 4,
p. 3; Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 11; Ms Kardell, Submission
no. 65, p. 15.
[39] Associate Professor Faunce, Submission no. 4, p. 14.
[40] Dr Sawyer, Submission no. 57, p. 11-12.
[41] Associate Professor Faunce, Transcript of Evidence, 18 September 2008, p. 7.
[42] Professor Francis, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 43.
[43] Mr Leonard AM, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p 63.
[44] House of
Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee October 1989, Fair
shares for all: insider trading in Australia, p. 45.
[45] Associate Professor Faunce, Transcript of Evidence, 18 September 2008, p. 7.
[46] Mr Chadwick, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September, 2008, p. 28.
Chapter 6 Scope of statutory protection
[2] A number of
submissions noted problems with the implementation of the Commonwealth
whistleblower provisions. For example see, Name Withheld, Submission
no. 46.
[3] Community and Public Sector Union, Submission
no. 8a, p. 1.
[4] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September
2008, p. 1.
[5] Brown, AJ (ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector:
enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 130.
[6] Brown, AJ (ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector:
enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in public
sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p.
137.
[7] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public
sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in
public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government,
p. 130.
[8] Mr Smythe, Submission no. 42, p. 5.
[9] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian
public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management
in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of
Government, p. 130.
[10] Dr Ahern, Transcript of Evidence, 28
October 2008, pp 29-31.
[11] Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9
September 2008, pp. 22, 27.
[12] Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9
September 2008, p. 27.
[13] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian
public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management
in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 273.
[14] Dr Brown, Submission no. 68, p. 4.
[15] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian
public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management
in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of
Government, p. 272.
[16] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian
public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management
in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of
Government, p. 272.
[17] Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian
public sector: enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management
in public sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of
Government, p. 268.
[18] For example, Ms Merrylin Bulder, Submission no. 32, p. 8.
[19] For example, Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity Submission
no. 13.
[20] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25
September 2008, p. 1.
[21] Clause 342(1), Fair Work Bill 2008
[22] Clause 342(1), Fair Work Bill 2008.
[23] Community and Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p 4.
[25] Workplace Ombudsman, Submission no. 66, p.
6.
[26] Ms Hamilton, Transcript of
Evidence, 27 October 2008, pp. 82, 83.
[27] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September
2008, p. 11. Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 23.
Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 22.
[28] Occupational
Health and Safety Act 1991 s. 16(2).
[29] Dr Brown, Submission no. 68, p. 2.
[30] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 9.
[31] Australian
Council of Trade Unions, Submission no. 64, p. 1.
[32] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 16.
[33] Workplace Ombudsman, Submission no. 69, p.
6.
[34] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September
2008, p. 11. Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 23.
Dr Brown, Submission no. 68, p. 2.
[35] Department of Defence, Submission no. 48,
p. 4.
[36] Australian Government Remuneration Tribunal,
Judicial and Related Offices at
http://www.remtribunal.gov.au/judicalRelatedOffices/default.asp?menu=Sec3&switch=on
[37] Dr Brown, Submission no. 68, p. 4.
[38] Mr Bennett, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 25.
[39] Whistleblowers Australia, Submission no. 26,
p. 30.
[40] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 11.
[41] In the United Kingdom, the suggestion that qui tam claims be introduced has been seen as likely to
undermine cultural values that support a disclosure scheme. See Public Concern
at Work 30 November 2007, Rewarding whistleblowers as good citizens,
Response to the Home Office consultation, p. 8.
[42] NSW Council
for Civil Liberties, Submission no. 17, p. 4.
[43] Mr Wheeler, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 27.
[44] Dr Lennane, Transcript of Evidence, 27
October 2008, p. 18.
[45] Community and Public Sector Union, Submission
no. 8a., p. 3.
[46] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 28 August 2008, p. 11.
[47] Department of Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations, Submission no. 66, p. 2.
[48] Hollis v Vabu Pty Ltd (2001) 207 CLR 21, 73 (Gleeson CJ, Gaudron,
Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ).
[49] Mr Kerr, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August
2008, p 27.
[50] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 28 August
2008, p 7.
[51] Commonwealth Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 8. See Australian Public Service Commission, Submission
no. 44, p. 11
Chapter 7 Procedures in relation to protected disclosures
[1] For example
see, Commonwealth Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 9; Australian Public
Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 13; Whistleblowers Australia, Submission
no. 26, p. 45;
Attorney-General’s Department, Submission no. 14, p. 3.
[2] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 9.
[3] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 13.
[4] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 3. The Commissioner supports
serious matters being taken to oversight agencies at first instance.
[10]
Australian Taxation Office, Submission no. 24, p. 2.
[11]
Australian Institute of Professional Investigators, Submission no. 20,
p. 2.
[18] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 10.
[19] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 10.
[20] Summarised
from a number of submissions including, Whistleblowers Australia, Submission
no. 26, pp. 41-42, Australian Public Service Commission, Submission no.
44, p. 13-15; Commonwealth Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 10.
[21] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 17; Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 11.
[22] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 17.
[23] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 42.
[24] Mr Lindeberg, Submission no. 12, p. 3.
[25] Senate Select
Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing 1994, In the public interest,
p. xv. This was supported by some submissions, for example, Ms Kardell, Submission no. 65, p. 21.
[26] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 14.
[27] Professor McMillan, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 11.
[28] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 11.
[29] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 4; Associate Professor Faunce, Submission
no. 4, p. 3; Dr Bowden, Submission no. 18, p. 2; Mr Podger, Submission
no. 55, p. 5; Mr Hardham, Submission
no. 54, p. 10; Community and Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a,
p. 5; Dr Harris Rimmer, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 9;
[30] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 16.
[31] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 5.
[33] Mr Sellars, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 4.
[34] Kerr, Hon
Duncan MP, 26 October 1995: Report of the Senate Select Committee
on public interest whistleblowing: Government response, Ministerial
Statement, House of Representatives.
[35] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 16.
[36] Australian
Public Service Commission, Submission no. 44,p. 17.
[37] Mr McMahon, Submission no. 45a, p. 5.
[47]
Public Interest Disclosure Act 2003 (WA).
[49]
Public Interest Disclosures Act 2002 (Tas) s. 36.
[50] Dean, R 2002, The law of trade secrets and personal secrets (2nd edition),
Pyrmont, Lawbook Company, pp. 28, 29.
[51] For a
discussion on the features of confidential information, see Dean, R 2002, The law of trade secrets and personal secrets (2nd edition),
Pyrmont, Lawbook Company, Chapter 3.
[52] For a
discussion on the obligations surrounding confidentiality, including third
party obligations, see Dean, R 2002, The law of trade secrets and personal
secrets (2nd edition), Pyrmont, Lawbook Company, pp. 60-63.
[56] See Schedule
3, Privacy Act 1988.
[63] Dr Lesley Lynch, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 3.
[71]
Mr Kevin Lindeberg, Submission no. 12, p. 5.
[72]
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, Submission no. 9, p. 5.
[80] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. xxxvi.
[81] Australian
Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, Submission no. 13, p. 7.
Commonwealth Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 14.
[82] Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in Australian Public Service
Commission, Submission no. 44, p. 21.
[91] Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 6.
[92] Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 8.
[93] Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, 4; Mr Varghese, Transcript of Evidence,
16 October 2008, p. 7.
[94] It was noted
that the Ombudsman can act as the Inspector-General of Intelligence and
Security from time to time. See Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 7; Mr Moss, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 4.
[95] Ms Kardell, Submission no. 65, p. 19.
[96] Dr Brown, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 17.
[97] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 2.
[98] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 4.
[99] Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 7; Mr Whowell, Transcript of
Evidence, 23 October 2008, p.. 21.
[100] Ms Merrylin Bulder, Submission no. 32; Mr Neil Winzer, Submission no. 59.
[101] Mr Keith Potter, Submission no. 43.
[102] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 6.
[103] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 13.
[104] Ms Briggs, Transcript of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 3.
[105] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 20.
[106]
Brown, AJ (ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector:
enhancing the theory and practice of internal witness management in public
sector organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, pp.
xxv.
[107] Australian
Public Service Commission, State of the service report 2007-2008, p. 160.
Chapter 8 Disclosures to third parties
[1] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand, School of Government, p. 91.
[2] Deputy
Commissioner Negus, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 12.
[3] Deputy
Commissioner Negus, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 13.
[4] Mr Thomas, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 13.
[5] Deputy
Commissioner Negus, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 19.
[6] Standing
Committee of Attorneys General 7 November 2008, Communiqué.
[7] See, for
example, case studies on Mr Allan Kessing and Mr Desmond Kelly.
[8] Mr Maniaty, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 64.
[9] Mr Bennett, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 35.
[10] Mr Maniaty, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 51.
[11] Mr Chadwick, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 40.
[12] Mr Bartlett, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 23.
[13] Ms Hambly, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 36.
[14] Associate Professor McKnight, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 52.
[15] Ms Chapman, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, 61.
[16] Dr Harris Rimmer, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 10.
[17] Queensland
Public Hospital Commission of Inquiry exhibit 225, GF12.
[18] Queensland
Public Hospital Commission of Inquiry report, p. 158.
[19] Queensland
Public Hospital Commission of Inquiry report, p. 162.
[20] The
allegations of Ms Hoffman were considered in the Queensland Public Hospital
Commission of Inquiry but had not been, at the time of tabling this report,
considered in any court proceedings.
[21] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 4.
[22] Office of the
Public Service Commissioner Queensland 2006, Review of the Whistleblowers
Protection Act 1994, p. 17.
[23] Professor McKinnon, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, pp. 55, 56.
[24] Mr Jones, Transcript of Evidence, 28 August 2008, p. 2.
[26] Mr Thomas, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 15 & 16.
[27] Mr Carnell, Transcript of Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 3.
[28] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 4.
[29] Dr Brown, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 18.
[30] For a
carefully documented example of unnecessary delay in investigation following
disclosure, see the judgment of Justice Gray in Henry v British Broadcasting
Corporation [2006] EWHC 386 (QB), a successfully defended defamation action
arising from disclosure of falsified hospital waiting list data: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2006/386.rtf
(accessed 19 February 2009).
[31] Commonwealth
Ombudsman, Submission no. 31, p. 11; Mr Podger, Submission no. 55,
p. 6; Dr Brown, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p.
10; Mr Needham, Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 38.
[32] Australian
Press Council, Submission no. 21, pp. 4-5 (emphasis in the original).
[33] Australia’s Right to Know, Submission no. 34, p. 4.
[34] Brown, AJ,
‘Privacy and the public interest disclosure: when is it reasonable to protect
‘whistleblowing’ to the media?’ in Privacy Law Bulletin, 4 (2), p. 24.
[35] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p.
44.
[36] Ms Kardell, Submission no. 65, p. 16.
[37] Senate Select
Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing 1994, In the public interest,
p. 198. The Government rejected the proposal on 13 November 1995 on the basis that a whistleblower, lacking full information, is not in a position to
assess public interest considerations.
[38] Mr Maniaty, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 64.
[39] Dr Brown, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 15.
[40] Mr Moss, Transcript of Evidence, 23 October 2008, p. 6; Mr Varghese, Transcript of
Evidence, 16 October 2008, p. 6.
[41] Attorney-General’s
Department, Submission no. 14, p. 4.
[42] Mr Warren, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 65.
[43] Mr Maniaty, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 65.
[45] Queensland has a unicameral Parliament.
[46] Section 16, Parliamentary
Privileges Act 1987.
[47] Section 4, Parliamentary
Privileges Act 1987.
[48] Section 12
(1), (2) Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.
[49] Section 6(2),
Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2007.
[50] Mr Wright, Submission no. 70, p. 5.
[51] Clerk of the
Senate, Submission no. 67, p. 2.
[52] Quoted in Mr Wright, Submission no. 70, p. 6.
[53] Quoted in Mr Wright, Submission no. 70, pp. 6-7.
[54] Mr Wright, Submission no. 70, p. 5.
[55] Mr Wilkins AO, Transcript of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 20.
[56] Australian
Council of Trade Unions, Submission no. 64, p. 1.
[57] Australian
Council of Trade Unions, Submission no. 64, p. 2.
[58] Australian
Council of Trade Unions, Submission no. 64, pp. 3-4.
[59] Mr Lapidos, Transcript of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 48.
[60] Mr Ross, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, pp. 22, 23.
[61] Brown, AJ
(ed.) 2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the
theory and practice of internal witness management in public sector
organisations, Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 88.
[62]
Ombudsman Act 1976, Section 35A.
Chapter 9 Other matters raised during the inquiry
[1] Dr Peter Bowden, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p 25.
[2] Whistleblowers
Australia, Submission no. 26, p. 18.
[3] Associate Professor Faunce, Transcript of Evidence, 18 September 2008, p. 13.
[4] Transparency
International Australia, Submission no. 22, p. 3.
[5] Mr Dee, Transcript of Evidence, 27 October 2008, p. 12.
[6] Senate Select
Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing, 1994, In the public interest,
pp. 152-153.
[7] Ms Kardell, Submission no. 65, p. 7.
[8] Brown, AJ
2006, Public interest disclosure in legislation in Australia: towards the
next generation – an issues paper, Commonwealth Ombudsman, p. 14; Some
witnesses raised concerns about whistleblowing in other sectors such as the
corporate and financial services sector. For example see, Mr Leonard, Transcript
of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 60. It is recognised that a number of
industry sector regulators and Ombudsmen have now been established for
oversight of private sector activities particularly where the activity was
previously undertaken by government.
[9] Ms Briggs, Transcript
of Evidence, 25 September 2008, p. 4.
[10] Community and
Public Sector Union, Submission no. 8a, p. 8.
[11] Mr Kerr, Transcript
of Evidence, 21 August 2008, p. 27.
[12] Ms Phillips,
Submission no. 28, p. 1.
[13] Mr Ellis, Submission
no. 33, p. 3.
[14] Dr Ahern, Transcript
of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 28.
[15] Mr Jones, Transcript
of Evidence, 28 August 2008, p. 7.
[16] Australian
Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, Submission no. 13, p. 5.
[17] Australian
Federal Police, Submission no. 38, p. 9.
[18] Australian
Federal Police, Submission no. 38, p. 11.
[19] Brown, AJ (ed.)
2008, Whistleblowing in the Australian public sector: enhancing the theory
and practice of internal witness management in public sector organisations,
Australia and New Zealand School of Government, p. 50.
[20] Mr Metcalfe, Transcript
of Evidence, 27 November 2008, p. 7.
[21] Dr Brown, Transcript
of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 16.
[22] Professor
Sampford, Transcript of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 7.
[23] Ms Bird,
Transcript of Evidence, 9 September 2008, p. 5.
[24] Ms Ralston, Transcript
of Evidence, 28 October 2008, p. 26.
[25] Australian
Lawyers for Human Rights, Submission no. 9, p. 7; Mr Ellis, Submission
no. 33, p. 4.
[26] See clause 16.
Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2007.
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