Those who come forward with information about impropriety in public administration should be adequately protected. One of the main reasons people do not report wrongdoing is the fear of retaliation.
Every public body has a responsibility to minimise the risk of retaliation against those who come forward and call out impropriety.
As Commissioner, I must issue and keep under review directions and guidelines relating to whistleblowing. The directions and guidelines issued by the former Commissioner are now in need of review.
I have decided to commence a project to review the state of whistleblowing in the Northern Territory. The project will enable me to better understand the approaches taken to managing whistleblower disclosures, frameworks in place to reduce the risk of retaliation and to hear the experiences of those who have made such disclosures.
The project will conclude with the issue of new directions and guidelines relating to whistleblowing in the Northern Territory.
To that end, I invite submissions from persons who may have information relevant to this project. I encourage anyone, and in particular Northern Territory public officers, to provide me with information about their agency's approach to whistleblower disclosures and protections. I also encourage public officers who have made disclosures to tell me about their experiences in doing so.
Submissions must be made in writing and sent via email to [email protected]. Submissions can be made anonymously.
The closing date for submissions is 31 March 2023.
Michael Riches
Independent Commissioner Against Corruption
