Public Interest Disclosure Act 2012

This section applies if any of the following entities takes an action in relation to the disclosure of disclosable conduct or a public interest disclosure in the exercise of a function under this Act:

the head of a public sector entity;

the head of service;

the public sector standards commissioner.

A person may complain to the ombudsman about the action.

Without limiting subsection (2), the person may complain about whether a public sector entity or public official has followed—

guidelines made by the integrity commissioner under section 32; or

procedures issued by the integrity commissioner under section 33.

The ombudsman may exercise the following functions in relation to the complaint:

giving advice about disclosures of disclosable conduct or public interest disclosures;

monitoring the management of disclosures of disclosable conduct or public interest disclosures by the entity;

reviewing the way in which the entity dealt with or investigated the disclosure of disclosable conduct or public interest disclosure that is the subject of the complaint;

ensuring just outcomes for people who make public interest disclosures, including preventing and remedying the effect of detrimental action taken against disclosers or witnesses because of a public interest disclosure.

Nothing in this Act is intended to limit the ombudsman’s powers under the Ombudsman Act 1989.