Public Interest Disclosures

The objectives of the Act are to:

• promote integrity and accountability in the Commonwealth public sector
• encourage and facilitate the making of Public Interest Disclosures (PIDs) by public officials
• ensure that public officials who choose to make public interest disclosures are supported and protected from any adverse consequences relating to the disclosures
• ensure that disclosures made by public officials are properly investigated and dealt with
• ensure that Authorised Officers refer serious or systemic corruption issues to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. 

What is an internal PID?

An internal PID is a disclosure:

• by a current or former public official
• of information that tends to show ‘disclosable conduct’
• made to an Authorised Officer or supervisor of the discloser.

Information on this page applies to internal PIDs only. Please refer to the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s website for more information on other types of PIDs, such as:

• emergency disclosure
• external disclosure
• legal practitioner disclosure
• NACC disclosure.

What is ‘disclosable conduct’

Disclosable conduct is defined in section 29 of the Act and includes conduct that:

• contravenes a law
• is corrupt
• wastes public funds
• abuses public trust
• is misconduct relating to scientific research, analysis or advice
• unreasonably endangers health, safety and/or the environment
• could, if proved, give reasonable grounds for disciplinary action resulting in the termination of the official's engagement or appointment.

Disclosures are about matters where investigation and correction is in the public interest. This does not include disagreements with government policy or expenditure.

How to make a disclosure

Disclosures can be made to your supervisor (if you work for IHACPA) or an IHACPA’s Authorised Officer, if the conduct relates to the IHACPA.

IHACPA’s Authorised Officers are:

• Prof. Michael Pervan (and Principal Officer)
• Olga Liavas

Contact Authorised Officers by: 

• email at: PID_IHACPA@ihacpa.gov.au
• mail to: PO Box 483, Darlinghurst NSW 1300

Subject lines or envelopes should be marked "Confidential – IHACPA PID – For the Attention of (insert Authorised Officer name, if known), authorised officer" 

Disclosures can be made anonymously, however:

• IHACPA cannot ensure you are protected from reprisal
• it can make further investigation difficult
• it will be impossible to provide you with updates on the progress of the investigation.

Protections offered under the PID Act

If you make a disclosure, you will:

• not be subject to any civil, criminal or administrative liability for making a disclosure, unless a designated publication restriction is contravened without reasonable excuse or the disclosure is knowingly false or misleading
• have no contractual or other remedy enforced or sanction imposed on you on the basis of making the disclosure
• have absolute privilege for the purposes of defamation proceedings in respect of the public interest disclosure
• not have a contract to which you are a party terminated on the basis of the disclosure
• have your identity protected.

Disclosure to the Ombudsman

If you are concerned about making a disclosure to IHACPA, you can make a disclosure to the Commonwealth Ombudsman.

What information to include

Ensure you include as much detail as possible.

In general, to assist us in assessing and properly investigating your PID, you should include:

•  your name and contact details, unless you want to be anonymous
• details of the alleged wrongdoing
• if you think the alleged wrongdoing could be considered corrupt conduct
• who committed the alleged wrongdoing
• when and where the alleged wrongdoing occurred
• relevant events surrounding the issue
• if you did anything in response to the wrongdoing
• others who know about the wrongdoing and have allowed it to continue
• whether you believe the information is a PID under the PID Act, however it does not need to be described this way for it to be treated as a PID
• if you’re concerned about possible reprisals as a result of making your disclosure
• any supporting documentation and/or any witnesses.

Further information

View the Public Interest Disclosure Procedures.

For further information, you can visit the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s website or email our PID team on PID_IHACPA@ihacpa.gov.au