New Whistleblowers Inquiry - Australia

Found this alert re: a new whistleblowers' protection inquiry in Australia...

On 11th July 2008 the Federal Govt. "quietly" announced a "NEW INQUIRY into legislation to protect whistleblowers in the Australian Government public sector".

The Media release for this Inquiry recognises the fact that "in Australia now, there are no uniform laws to protect whistleblowers". MP Mark Dreyfus QC, who will chair the Inquiry has said that "Whistleblowing protections are designed to protect disclosures made in the public interest that would otherwise breach the law. They should also provide legal redress for whistleblowers subjected to victimisation or discrimination. He further added "More effective and comprehensive protection for whistleblowers can increase the likelihood of public interest disclosures being made..."

If you are a Public Service Whistleblower who has experienced victimisation, discrimination or "consequences", it is crucial that you make a confidential submission to the Committee conducting this Inquiry by Friday 8th August 2008.

This is the only way that Whistleblowers are able to contribute to change in the current legal system.

For further details regarding lodging a submission for consideration by this Inquiry,
contact (02) 6277 2358 or go to www.aph.gov.au/laca

Octopussassin
www.nuganhand.wordpress.com


[edit on 3-9-2008 by Octopussassin]

I hope this legislation comes to pass. It's about bloody time the government protected the whistleblowers instead of hanging them out to dry then feeding the carcasses to Today Tonight and A Current Affair.

Time after time I would witness a nurse or an ex-policeman being literally raped by the media, being downtrodden and forced into hiding, all for telling the truth. The media is controlled by those who the whistle was being blown against, so it all comes together into a nice neat little bundle of slime.

More whistleblowers are needed, and we may need to think about upgrading their whistles too, something along the lines of a foghorn wouldn't go astray.

Sadly, I think the reality is that whistleblowers will continue to suffer. It's very hard to rock the boat, going against the status quo, without alienating colleagues and infuriating bosses. After all, the actions of one have the potential to shame many...it's not right, it's just the kind of culture that has been allowed to prevail in many parts of society for a long, long time.

Octopussassin
www.nuganhand.wordpress.com

maybe if this had passed alot earlier then alot of lives could have been saved concering Dr Patel and the patients he killed. whistleblowers are some of the bravest people, they are putting everything on the line to help others.

They are *very* brave people, that's without question. But I wonder how many whistleblowers would travel the same route with hindsight?

Octopussassin
www.nuganhand.wordpress.com

i'm sure that some would change there mind and continue to let things slide but the majority i feel would still continue and expose the wrong doings. imagine if u knew a doctor was not competent and continued to let them operate and the patient passes away due to the doctors short comings. could u live with that? and how u feel seeing that same doctor getting ready to perform in surgery again.....?