D12/110664
Public interest disclosure policy
1
Policy Statement
1.1
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (the department) expects
high standards of professional and ethical conduct from its employees and agents.
1.2
The department is committed to implementing employee awareness initiatives and internal
control systems to prevent and/or minimise the incidents of wrongdoing.
1.3
The department encourages the internal reporting of wrongdoing and will take appropriate and
necessary action to uphold the integrity of the department and promote the public interest.
2
Scope
2.1
This policy applies to all:
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permanent, temporary and casual employees.
contractors and members of the public to the extent outlined in the Public Interest
Disclosure Act 2010.
3
Purpose and intended outcomes
3.1
This policy has been developed to facilitate the effective notification, assessment and
management of public interest disclosures (PID) in accordance with the Public Interest
Disclosure Act 2010 (Qld) (the Act) including:
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3.2.1
encouraging employees who have witnessed wrongdoing to make a PID
providing support and protection from reprisals for employees making a PID
ensuring appropriate consideration is given to the interest of employees who are the
subject of a PID
responding to a PID thoroughly and impartially
taking appropriate action to address wrongdoing that is the subject of a PID.
This policy and associated procedure is an important component of the department’s overall
integrity management program and will ensure:
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clear guidance for employees in relation to making a PID
consistent and appropriate assessment procedures to determine which complaints meet
the requirements of the Act for treatment of a PID
management or coordination of support and protection offered to disclosers
appropriate monitoring of the investigation and resolution of a PID
timely collection, reporting and review of PID data.
3.3
Note: This policy must be read in conjunction with the Public interest disclosure
procedure (DSDIP-CG-PR-022) document.
4
Responsibilities
4.1
CEO, Senior executives and senior officers
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model and demonstrate ethical leadership
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4.2
PID contact officer (Manager, Governance)
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4.3
receive, assess and manage all reports of suspected official misconduct in consultation
with the CMC.
Managers
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4.6
maintain, monitor and review this policy and associated procedures
CMC liaison officer (Manager, Governance)
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4.5
provide advice and information to employees and managers in relation to the prevention
and management of PIDs
provide information and assistance to any person seeking to make a PID
receive, assess and manage all PIDs in consultation with the discloser and the CMC
liaison officer as required
notify the CMC liaison officer of any complaints of suspected official misconduct
provide support to persons making a PID.
Governance Unit
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4.4
implement appropriate internal control systems to prevent and/or minimise incidents of
wrongdoing
be alert to any actual or potential wrongdoing amongst all employees
notify the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) liaison officer (Manager,
Governance) of any suspected official misconduct
support employees to attend ethical decision making and the Code of Conduct for the
Queensland Public Service (the Code) training.
promote awareness of this policy and associated procedure and maintain an ethical
culture which supports the reporting of wrongdoing
be alert to any actual or potential risk for employees or contractors in the work unit and
implement the necessary internal controls or other action as required
assist employees to resolve ethical dilemmas
report any suspected wrongdoing and follow the departmental procedures.
All employees
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conduct duties to a high professional and ethical standard and always act in the public
interest
be aware of employee rights and obligations under the Act and the Code in relation to
the reporting of suspected wrongdoing and reprisal actions
seek appropriate guidance from management or PID contact officer in relation to any
ethical dilemmas
report any actual or perceived wrongdoing (where known)
co-operate in investigations into any actual or perceived wrongdoing
protect and maintain the confidentiality of a person who has or suspected to have made
a disclosure
refrain from any activity that is or could be perceived to be, reprisal, victimisation or
harassment of a person who makes a disclosure
refer all suspected PIDs to the appropriate authorities.
5
Review
5.1
This policy will be reviewed in December 2013, and in accordance with any relevant legislative
amendments.
Policy number: DSDIP-CG-PN-022
Policy name: Public interest disclosure policy
Version: 1.3
Effective date: 1 July 2011
UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED
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