This bill became law on Jun 19th, 2023.
Law, justice & rights
Federal whistleblower laws now exclude most personal workplace complaints like bullying, transfers and discipline, unless the conduct is retaliation or is serious enough to affect confidence in a government agency.
A 2016 review found the federal whistleblower law left gaps, unclear handling rules and weak protection for people caught up in disclosures. This bill tightens who the scheme covers, requires faster referrals and review of cases, and extends protections to witnesses and others who assist.
Australia’s 2013 federal whistleblower law was still operating, but the 2016 Moss reviewThis 2016 review found gaps in the whistleblower system and supplied many of the reform ideas the bill adopts. found gaps, unclear case-handling rules and weak protection for people involved in disclosures, and later parliamentary inquiries in 2017 and 2020 added calls to strengthen whistleblower and press-related safeguards. The Albanese government introduced this bill in November 2022 as part of its integrity agenda and to support disclosures linked to the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThis new federal anti-corruption body is part of the reason the bill was pushed as an interim integrity reform before the commission started., and Parliament passed it in June 2023 so agencies, watchdogs and witnesses had clearer powers, faster referral rules and stronger protections.
The main criticism was that the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. only made a narrow first round of fixes and still left serious gaps that could leave some whistleblowers unprotected, especially by excluding many personal work-related disclosures and not fixing weak remedies. These concerns were raised mainly by Greens and crossbench supporters, who still backed the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. as a first step, while no party represented in the debate opposed it outright.
Hon Mark Dreyfus KC, MP introduced this bill. In the latest recorded vote on the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in the Senate, support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, some crossbench members; opposition came from Greens, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 19 June 2023
Final passage
No counted final vote
1 recorded vote on the bill was found earlier in passage, but the final chamber agreement was not a counted division.
Passage speed
201 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Federal whistleblower laws now exclude most personal workplace complaints like bullying, transfers and discipline, unless the conduct is retaliation or is serious enough to affect confidence in a government agency.
Agencies can now stop handling a whistleblower disclosure under this law if another Commonwealth process is better suited, but they must help refer the matter instead of leaving the whistleblower to chase it alone.
Intelligence agency disclosures marked urgent must be sent to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and SecurityThis watchdog oversees intelligence agencies and, here, gets urgent and non-urgent disclosures from intelligence bodies and can review their handling. within 1 business day, and non-urgent disclosures must be sent within 14 days.
The Commonwealth OmbudsmanThis office oversees how public agencies deal with complaints and, on this page, can review how whistleblower disclosures were handled. and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and SecurityThis watchdog oversees intelligence agencies and, here, gets urgent and non-urgent disclosures from intelligence bodies and can review their handling. can now review how disclosures were handled and recommend that agencies allocate, reallocate, investigate or reinvestigate them.
People who help a whistleblower investigation, including witnesses, now get the same protections from retaliation and from civil, criminal and administrative liability as the whistleblower.
This item, together with items 1 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 1, would implement recommendations 5 and 6 of the Moss Review, which recommended that personal employment-related grievances be excluded from the definition of disclosable conduct, unless it relates to systemic wrongdoing or constitutes reprisal action. Removing personal-work related conduct from the scope of the PID Act would enable the PID Act to focus on significant integrity wrongdoing. This approach is not to suggest that agencies should ignore other forms of wrongdoing or workplace conflict but recognises that other frameworks are better placed to deal with personal work-related conduct. For example, internal human resources processes or a Code of Conduct investigation may be a more appropriate vehicle for responding to an allegation of workplace harassment.Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) explanatory memorandum
This item would supplement proposed paragraph 48(1)(ga) (see item 19 of Part 2 of Schedule 1) and paragraph 50(2)(b) (see item 23 of Part 2 of Schedule 1), implementing recommendation 31 of the Moss Review and further supporting the discloser by placing an onus on principal officers to support the referral of the conduct disclosed. This would provide the discloser with greater assurance that the principal officer is taking action to ensure their disclosure is appropriately handled (under a more appropriate investigative framework).Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) explanatory memorandum
(2) If the discloser declares to the authorised officer or supervisor that the disclosure is urgent, the authorised officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable and in any case within 1 business day after the disclosure is received by the authorised officer, give a written notice to the IGIS of the following matters:Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Act 2023 final Act text
(5) As a result of the review, the relevant investigative agency may, by written notice, make such recommendations as the relevant investigative agency thinks fit to either or both of the following:Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Act 2023 final Act text
This item would insert new sections 12A and 12B which provide witnesses with the same protections from civil, criminal and administrative liability as a discloser under the PID Act. ‘Witness’ would be defined broadly to include any person providing assistance in relation to a PID other than the discloser.Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) explanatory memorandum
Context
Australia’s 2013 federal whistleblower law was still operating, but the 2016 Moss reviewThis 2016 review found gaps in the whistleblower system and supplied many of the reform ideas the bill adopts. found gaps, unclear case-handling rules and weak protection for people involved in disclosures, and later parliamentary inquiries in 2017 and 2020 added calls to strengthen whistleblower and press-related safeguards. The Albanese government introduced this bill in November 2022 as part of its integrity agenda and to support disclosures linked to the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThis new federal anti-corruption body is part of the reason the bill was pushed as an interim integrity reform before the commission started., and Parliament passed it in June 2023 so agencies, watchdogs and witnesses had clearer powers, faster referral rules and stronger protections.
Moss reviewThis 2016 review found gaps in the whistleblower system and supplied many of the reform ideas the bill adopts. finds gaps in the federal whistleblower scheme
The 2016 Moss reviewThis 2016 review found gaps in the whistleblower system and supplied many of the reform ideas the bill adopts. identified weaknesses in the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013This is the federal whistleblower law the bill changes, setting the rules for who can make a protected disclosure and how agencies must handle it., including coverage gaps and unclear handling rules that later became the core case for reform.
Hansard ↗Parliamentary inquiry backs stronger whistleblower protections
A 2017 parliamentary inquiry into whistleblower protections added further recommendations for changes across the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Hansard ↗Press freedom inquiry calls for changes affecting intelligence disclosures
A 2020 parliamentary inquiry on law enforcement and intelligence powers recommended reforms that fed into the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.’s new rules for urgent and non-urgent intelligence-related disclosures.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. as part of its integrity agenda
The Attorney-General introduced the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries., saying stronger public sector whistleblower protections were needed to restore trust in government and support disclosures of corrupt conduct to the National Anti-Corruption CommissionThis new federal anti-corruption body is part of the reason the bill was pushed as an interim integrity reform before the commission started..
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.
Both houses agreed on the same text, completing passage of reforms that narrowed some workplace matters, sped up referrals and reviews, and extended protections to witnesses and other people assisting investigations.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThis is the final formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. turns the reforms into law
Royal AssentThis is the final formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. made the amendments law so the revised whistleblower framework could operate with stronger oversight by the Commonwealth OmbudsmanThis office oversees how public agencies deal with complaints and, on this page, can review how whistleblower disclosures were handled. and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and SecurityThis watchdog oversees intelligence agencies and, here, gets urgent and non-urgent disclosures from intelligence bodies and can review their handling..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (01/12/2022): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (14/03/2023)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at second reading, meaning it accepted the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at second reading, meaning it accepted the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber considered amendments before the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. moved to the next stage.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in the same form.
Consideration of Senate message
Both houses passed the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThis is the final formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. only made a narrow first round of fixes and still left serious gaps that could leave some whistleblowers unprotected, especially by excluding many personal work-related disclosures and not fixing weak remedies. These concerns were raised mainly by Greens and crossbench supporters, who still backed the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. as a first step, while no party represented in the debate opposed it outright.
Criticism was real but mostly conditional, with broader reform urged rather than the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. rejected.
Key gaps left in the scheme
Critics said the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. did not go far enough because it implemented only part of the Moss reviewThis 2016 review found gaps in the whistleblower system and supplied many of the reform ideas the bill adopts. and left major weaknesses in the whistleblower regime to be dealt with later.
Some whistleblowers could still miss protection
Several speakers warned that excluding many personal work-related matters could shut out valid disclosures, and that the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. still lacked stronger remedies, better protection for journalists and a dedicated whistleblower authority or commission.
The bill did not stop whistleblowers still facing prosecution
Critics argued the reforms were too limited because they did not clearly prevent cases where a person exposes wrongdoing but is still prosecuted, leaving a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
House agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed 22 to 12. Support came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Greens and minor parties and independents.
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Defeated 12 to 27. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, One Nation, and minor parties and independents.
Defeating the amendment left the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.’s second-reading statement unchanged, so the chamber did not add the Greens’ call for broader reform or for ending those prosecutions.
Defeated 13 to 25. Support came from Greens, Jacqui Lambie Network, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Defeating the amendment kept the government’s wording for that protection unchanged and left the narrower drafting in place.
Defeated 13 to 21. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and minor parties and independents.
Defeating the amendment left the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.’s existing public-interest disclosure test intact and kept the court from gaining the broader discretion proposed by the Greens.
Defeated 11 to 23. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and minor parties and independents.
Defeating the package kept the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.’s narrower professional-assistance pathway and its existing wording for union access and related disclosure protections.
Defeated 11 to 26. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, and minor parties and independents.
Defeating the amendments left the parliamentary-staff exemption in place, so the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. did not extend PID ActThis is the federal whistleblower law the bill changes, setting the rules for who can make a protected disclosure and how agencies must handle it. coverage to MOP(S) staff.
The Senate agreed on voices to Senator Shoebridge's committee amendment to government amendment (2), adding 'solely' to the note about personal work-related conductThis is the category of workplace complaints the bill mostly leaves out, such as bullying, transfers and discipline, unless they have a stronger public integrity link..
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate agreed on voices to three government amendments clarifying that a disclosure can remain protected even when it also includes personal work-related conductThis is the category of workplace complaints the bill mostly leaves out, such as bullying, transfers and discipline, unless they have a stronger public integrity link., and adding notice of other possible courses of action.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
The Senate Journal records this outcome as carried on voices.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
This list includes amendment votes, procedural votes and votes on the bill itself.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Dreyfus supports the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. and says it will deliver overdue improvements to public sector whistleblowing protections.
Read in Hansard ↗Shoebridge says the Greens will support the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries., but only with amendments, because it is a worthwhile step for whistleblower protection that still falls well short of what is needed.
Read in Hansard ↗Wilkie supports the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. and says he would work with the government to strengthen whistleblower protections, but he argues it is only a small first step and that much broader reform is still needed.
Read in Hansard ↗Scarr says the opposition supports the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. and welcomes the government amendments because they clarify difficult whistleblower disclosure issues.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 5 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Mark Dreyfus on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Dreyfus supports the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. and says it will deliver overdue improvements to public sector whistleblowing protections. He argues it strengthens protections, narrows the scheme to serious integrity wrongdoing, and makes the system easier for agencies to administer.
“The Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill will implement key recommendations of the 2016 review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act by Mr Philip Moss AM (the Moss review) and parliamentary committee reports to deliver immediate improvements to our public sector whistleblowing scheme. These reforms are long overdue.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Dreyfus supports the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. as an important first step in strengthening public sector whistleblower protections and says it will help restore integrity in government. He also says a broader second stage of reform will follow, including consultation on a more comprehensive redraft of the act.
“With this bill, the Albanese government is taking an important first step in improving Australia's whistleblowing framework for the public sector. It will contribute directly to the important work of the National Anti-Corruption Commission by making immediate amendments to strengthen protections for whistleblowers.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill will implement key recommendations of the 2016 Review of the Public Interest Disclosure Act by Mr Philip Moss AM (Moss Review) and parliamentary committee reports to deliver immediate improvements to our public sector whistleblowing scheme. These reforms are long overdue.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I also rise today to speak in favour of the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022. In doing so, I wish to commend all those from across the parliament who are interested in improving trust and transparency in government. Long overdue reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure Act, such as those outlined in this bill, put Australia on the path to a best practice whistleblowing framework for the public sector. But we recognise that there is more work to do and we commit to working closely with stakeholders to do so after the passage of these reforms.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“With that, this bill will make priority amendments to the Public Interest Disclosure Act to support the government's commitment to ensuring that Australia has effective frameworks to protect whistleblowers. In doing so, this bill reinforces our commitment to restoring integrity and reinforces our government's commitment to the rule of law—something that was missing for the last 10 years under the former coalition government and something we are committed to.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Albanese government is committed to restoring trust and integrity to government, and an effective public sector whistleblowing framework is essential to achieving this. The bill is an important first stage of a process to comprehensively reform the Public Interest Disclosure Act to restore it to a best-practice whistleblowing framework. I commend the bill to the Senate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 4 support
“As Senator Cash said, the opposition is supporting the legislation. We think there are important changes which are coming through this legislation. There are some other further reforms which I think should be considered as the operation of this legislation is reviewed, and I'll talk about that.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition will be supporting this piece of legislation, the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022. The bill implements 21 of the 33 recommendations of the 2016 Moss review into the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013. It also implements recommendations 6.1 and 6.3 of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services 2017 inquiry into whistleblower protections in the corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors, and it implements recommendations 10 and 11 of the 2020 inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press. These recommendations have been agreed to by the coalition, and we welcome these changes.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The coalition supported these recommendations in its response to the Moss review, and I welcome this bill's changes to the PID Act.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is an attempt to correct some of the act's shortcomings. In particular, it will remove 'personal work related conduct' from the PID scheme unless it relates to systemic wrongdoing or reprisal action. It will provide increased flexibility around the handling of disclosures and provide clearer time frames. It will extend protection from reprisals to witnesses and those who may have made, propose to or could make a disclosure, and it will improve information sharing between agencies.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“I rise on behalf of the Greens to indicate we will be supporting the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill with amendments that we'll address in the committee stage. I say at the beginning that this is a bill about protecting whistleblowers, and, at its core, protecting whistleblowers is about protecting the truth. Without a commitment to truth—which the Greens accept can include open and challenging contests about what is true—democracy simply can't function. That is why this bill is so important. It's also why the bill has been put under close scrutiny by the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Going to the context of this bill, the Greens—as has been already outlined by my colleague Senator Shoebridge—believe it's a positive step to see the government taking action on updating Australia's whistleblower laws, and there is a broad consensus in this place on the need for significant reform. This bill is a beginning. The Moss review from 2016, which was seven years ago, is already significantly out of date, so implementing its recommendations isn't a comprehensive answer to what's needed here. But it's a start, and we commend the government for bringing it forward.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is a very positive step and we welcome it. And there's more to do. It's a positive thing to see a government taking action on updating these laws. They are well overdue for it and, as we see, there is a broad consensus for reforms that are really quite significant, which this bill makes a really important start on. We've heard how the Moss review, from 2016, is already well out of date, so turning to its recommendations, taking them seriously and turning them into legislation is very important, but it's not enough. We need to do more and, while we commend the government for bringing this forward, we really want to see action much more significantly on a further range of overdue recommendations.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
6 speakers · 6 support
“I'll finish my remarks there. I do applaud the government for moving on this. I encourage them to move very strongly. I encourage them to be guided by reports like that report I referred to by Griffith University, the Human Rights Law Centre and Transparency International Australia, which highlighted 21 areas of reform needed and made clear that this modest bill before the House today goes to only one of those 21 areas. I can understand why the government is rushing through this bill—so that legislation dovetails with the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act. But let's not pause after this. Let's go hard. And I'd be very keen to work with the government to provide whatever insights I can to assist them with this very important act.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm pleased to stand today to support the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review] Bill 2022, which means the Commonwealth public sector whistleblower protection regime—largely set out in the Public Interest Disclosure Act. This bill implements 21 of the 33 recommendations of the 2016 Moss review, and recommendations from two other inquiries, into the adequacy of whistleblower laws.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I welcome the intentions behind this legislation, and I strongly believe that enhanced protections for whistleblowers must be through the parliament in time for them to be in operation when the National Anti-Corruption Commission begins its work later this year. I welcome the Attorney-General's confidence that this will be the case.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is an essential step towards strengthening the government's integrity framework, but I do urge the government to commit to implementing all of the reforms necessary to bring Australia at least in line with international standards, if not with world's best practice.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“These changes are welcome and will deliver immediate improvements to whistleblower protections.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise in support of the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill, and I thank Senator Scarr and Senator Shoebridge and the many others who have worked on this for much longer than myself. It's great to see the government moving the update to the Public Interest Disclosure Act. These changes are long overdue. Until recently, Australia was falling down the list in the annual Corruption Perceptions Index from Transparency International. In the most recent report earlier this year, we went from a record low of 18th up to 13th. I believe this improvement is in large part due to the passing of the NACC. It's a significant change, one that I welcome, but it brings us to a crucial missing part of the puzzle, which is the legal protection given to whistleblowers in Australia. Clearly, that is not up to scratch. Some protection is given to whistleblowers in the public sector under the PID Act, which the A-G himself oversaw in 2013.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at second reading, meaning it accepted the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries.'s purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at second reading, meaning it accepted the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Committee of the Whole debate
The billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. moved to the next stage.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThis is the final formal step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the billThis is the bill that updates the whistleblower law in response to earlier reviews and inquiries. into an Act.
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (14/03/2023)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (1 Dec 2022): Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Committee report (14 Mar 2023)
APH bill page notes
