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Public Interest Disclosure

Council is committed to encouraging the reporting of wrongdoing and the protection of those who report wrongdoing from reprisals. 

A Public Interest Disclosure (PID) is a report of a suspected wrongdoing or danger in the public sector. The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2010 (the PID Act) replaces the Whistle Blowers Act 1994.

For a report to be considered a PID it must meet the following criteria:

  • Is this public interest information under the PID Act?
  • Is it an appropriate disclosure?
  • Is it mase to a 'Proper Authority'?

Once considered, a PID it will attract necessary protections under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2010.

Is Council the proper authority to make my disclosure to?

Council would be authorised to receive a PID where:

  • The disclosure is about the conduct of Council or its employees; or 
  • Council is responsible for investigating particular issues (e.g. the Crime and Misconduct Commission can receive PIDs about Official Misconduct).

Public interest disclosures should be made to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator. A PID can be made verbally or in writing.

How do I make a PID?

A PID can be made verbally or in writing.

To make your PID in writing, address your PID to the PID Coordinator and clearly mark the sealed envelope as Public Interest Disclosure - Private and Confidential.

You can also phone Council on (07) 4189 9100 and ask for the Senior Governance Officer who is Council's PID Coordinator.

The PID Coordinator will assess your disclosure, and if it does not fit the criteria of a PID, it will be dealt with under Council's complaints management process.

Submitting your PID

There is no specific format required for use in making a public interest disclosure. However to enable the best assessment and investigation outcome, public interest disclosures should be made in writing (whenever possible) and contain all available information. A disclosure can be made verbally.

A Discloser must be prepared to provide supporting evidence to assist the investigation of the disclosure.

What if I want to make an anonymous PID?

Anonymous disclosures can be made. Council prefers that disclosers identify themselves. This enables the best assessment and investigation of the PID. It also ensures appropriate support is provided to the discloser.

If you choose to remain anonymous please give as much information as possible in your disclosure. This will allow for proper assessment and investigation of the PID. Anonymous disclosers can't be informed of the investigation outcome. As a result, some of the protections in the Act may not apply.

What are my responsibilities as a discloser?

When making a PID, you have a responsibility to:

  • provide honest and accurate information. Deliberately providing false or misleading information is an offence under the Act.
  • provide all information currently in your possession. You must not seek to investigate the matter yourself.
  • make the disclosure to someone you reasonably believe is the proper authority to receive it.

Where do I get more information?

Contact the Senior Governance Officer within Council's Social and Corporate Performance Branch for more information via:

Email: info@southburnett.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 4189 9100

For more information refer to Council's policy and management plan for PIDs.

Also, the Ethics Queensland website provides fact sheets and information guidelines regarding PIDs and your rights and obligations under the Public Interest Disclosure Act.